Chicago, Ill. - After a day of delay due to a snowstorm, the highly anticipated Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) contest between the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks and the Eagles of Benedictine University was underway in the Keating Sports Center on Thursday evening. It was a battle of the birds through two quarters with the Scarlet Hawks leading 18-15 at the end of quarter one. The Hawks (8-14, 4-9) led for the majority of the second quarter but a late run from the Eagles (12-10, 8-5) put them up 36-32 at the half. 

Benedictine then came soaring into the third quarter, leading by as much as 18, shooting 9-17 from the field and 3-7 from three. Unfortunately for the Hawks, their late fourth quarter surge wouldn't be enough to overcome the deficit as the Eagles went on to win 68-61. It was only fate as it seems to be the week of Eagles winning. The rebound game made all the difference; the Eagles had 52 rebounds to the Hawks' 32, scoring 17 buckets on second chances. 

Point guard Berit Rusing led scorers for both teams with 17 points—tying her career high—and 3 assists. Senior veterans Julia Bucci and Kaya Jones pitched in 10 points each. Junior Camden Joko was held to just 6 points despite a recent string of high scoring games. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts 

• Berit Rusing with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals 
• Julia Bucci with 10 points and 3 rebounds 
• Kaya Jones with 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals 
• Allie Sillo with 8 points, 2-3 from three-point range 

Inside The Box Score 

• Hailey Bachmann led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists 
• Makenzie Carrol of Benedictine led in assists with 4, also contributing 13 points and 7 rebounds 
• Benedictine and Illinois Tech both shot 39% from the field, shooting 28% and 37% from three, respectively. 

Up Next 

The Scarlet Hawks will host their senior day celebration (weather permitting) along with the Lakeland University Muskies at Keating Sports Center on Saturday, February 15th. Tip-off at 3:15pm.