Chicago, Ill. – With hopes of sneaking into the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) post-season tournament, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks women's basketball team set a goal for themselves, defeat the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Raiders to better their chances. A win was the goal, and a win is what they got as the Hawks (8-11, 4-6) battled the whole way with the Raiders (10-9, 6-4) to record a 67-63 victory inside the Keating Sports Center on Saturday, February 1st.
As the game was underway, you could feel energy from both sides that would last until the final buzzer. A Raider layup followed by back-to-back threes by Julia Bucci and Kaya Jones began the contest as the Hawks took the early lead. After the Hawks first basket by Bucci put them ahead, they led for the entirety of the first quarter. At the 3:57 mark, two free throws made by Halle Williams gave the Hawks a 7-point, 13-6 lead, their largest of the quarter. Before the end of the quarter, the Raiders were able to cut into the Hawks lead, making it a 1-point, 19-18 contest. Second quarter action saw a back-and-forth contest. Following five lead changes, the Hawks came out on top at halftime after Miabella Spica picked up a steal and made a fastbreak down the court for a layup before the buzzer. At halftime, the Hawks led the Raiders 31-28.
During the third quarter, three ties would take place, but it would be the visiting Raiders who came out on top each time. Following a Bucci three at 5:36 to tie the game at 38-38, the Raiders would go down the court and make a layup to go ahead by two. From that point, the Raiders led for the remainder of the quarter, but the Hawks remained close as they made it a 1-point, 47-46 contest at the end of the quarter following layups from Jones and Chloe Churilla. Fourth quarter action began with the Hawks taking back the lead following a Berit Rusing layup and another 3-pointer by Bucci. The only tie of the quarter came at the 7:15 mark following an And-1 by the Raiders to tie the game at 53-53. The Raiders then built up to a 6-point, 61-55 lead with 3:51 remaining in the contest. With time ticking away, the Hawks fought to close the gap and take the lead. With 1:57 remaining, Churilla made an And-1, bringing the Hawks within two as they trailed 63-61. Bucci then put the Hawks ahead with 47 seconds on the clock with her sixth three pointer of the contest. Camden Joko then made it a three-point contest with just six seconds remaining after being fouled and making both free throws. With four seconds remaining, Jones made one free throw to make it 67-63. The Raiders took one last shot with two seconds remaining but missed the basket as Jones picked up the rebound, sealing the Hawks victory.
The victory gave the Hawks their eighth win of the season, marking the team's most wins since the 2008-2009 season.
SCARLET HAWK STANDOUTS
Julia Bucci led the Hawks with 18 points after going 6-of-13 (46.2%) from the field and 6-of-12 (50.0%) from three. Bucci also tallied four rebounds and three steals
Camden Joko recorded nine points, three assists, and one steal
Chloe Churilla recorded eight points, seven rebounds and three assists
Miabella Spica recorded four points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals
RAIDERS' STANDOUTS
Lana Kerley led the Raiders with 24 points after going 9-of-23 (39.1%) from the field, 4-of-11 (36.4%) from three, and 2-of-3 (66.7%) from the free throw line, as well as eight rebounds
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
The Hawks went 24-of-54 (44.4%) from the field, 11-of-29 (37.9%) from three, and 8-of-12 (66.7%) from the free throw line
The Raiders went 23-of-63 (36.5%) from the field, 7-of-27 (25.9%) from three, and 10-of-12 (83.3%) from the free throw line
The Raiders out rebounded the Hawks 40-35
19 of the Hawks points came off the bench while 17 points came off turnovers
Six ties, nine lead changes
UP NEXT
The Hawks will be on the road on Wednesday, February 5th when they head over to Aurora, Ill. to take on the Aurora University Spartans. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
