Chicago, Ill— Illinois Tech men's basketball faced a tough match against Aurora University, falling 85-66 on Wednesday night at the Keating Sports Center. Despite the outcome, the Scarlet Hawks showed strength in the paint, outscoring Aurora 46-44 in that area.  Aurora boosted their record to 10-3 overall and 5-1 in NACC play, while Illinois Tech now stands at 4-9, with a 2-4 conference mark.

How It Happened

The game kicked off with Illinois Tech grabbing an early lead, thanks to Garrison Carter's layup. Aurora quickly countered with a layup from Jeffery Hillmer and a three-pointer by Cullen Rauls, putting them ahead 5-2. Aurora's offense kept rolling, with Mekhi Doby sinking a three-pointer at 13:06 to widen their margin to 15-10. Illinois Tech fought to keep pace, led by Isaiah Dudley, who contributed a dunk and a layup. By halftime, Aurora's Juan Madrigal hit a free throw, securing a 36-25 lead for the visitors.

In the second half, Aurora was able to extend their advantage, outpacing Illinois Tech 49-41. Mekhi Doby delivered key plays in the paint, while Devon Richardson's defensive rebounds and late scoring padded Aurora's lead. Isaiah Thompson's pivotal three-pointer at 12:02 furthered their advantage. Illinois Tech's efforts, including a fast-break layup by Omar Salman early in the half, weren't enough to bridge the gap. Despite John Davis III and Dudley's offensive contributions, Aurora kept control, sealing the game with a 85-66 final.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

John Davis III  
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- 18 points  
- 8 field goals made  
- 4 rebounds  

Isaiah Dudley  
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- 14 points  
- 6 field goals made  
- 9 rebounds  

Garrison Carter  
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- 14 points  
- 4/4 free throws made  
- 2 steals  

Nicolas Ortiz  
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- 13 points  
- 7/7 free throws made  
- 4 rebounds  

Aurora Top Performers

Jeffery Hillmer  
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- 21 points  
- 8/10 field goals made  
- 5 steals  
- 5 assists  

Mekhi Doby  
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- 17 points  
- 7/17 field goals made  
- 3 assists  

Juan Madrigal  
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- 12 points  
- 3 assists  
- 4 rebounds  

Devon Richardson  
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- 12 points  
- 5/6 field goals made  
- 10 rebounds  

Game Notes:
- Dudley recorded a season-high 14 points.

Up Next
Illinois Tech will take on St. Norbert College on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 3:15 p.m. in De Pere, Wis.