CHICAGO – Marian University men’s basketball (10-6, 8-1 NACC) rallied from a 12 point deficit in the second half to defeat Illinois Tech 90-89 in overtime.
- Neither team managed a lead larger than four points for most of the first half leading to a 32-32 score with 4:01 until the break.
- Illinois Tech was able to finish the half strong using a 12-2 run to take a 44-34 advantage at the half.
- The Scarlet Hawks were able to maintain a double-digit lead for the opening minutes leading by as much as 12 at 57-45 with 15:05 left to play.
- Marian then went on an 11-2 spurt to trim their deficit down to three with 12:06 to play.
- IIT was able to fend off the rally and was able to build its lead back out to 75-67 with 3:29 to play.
- The Sabres then put together another big run scoring 11 unanswered points to take a 78-75 advantage and 1:01 on the clock.
- IIT would manage to tie the game on its next possession to force overtime.
- The two squads went back-and-forth in the extra session with neither team leading by more than three points.
- Marian only trailed once in overtime at 89-88 with 1:03 left, but a step-back floater from senior David Britton with 43 seconds left was enough to seal the win.
- Marian finished the game 33-of-62 (.532) from the field and 9-of-15 (.600) from beyond the arc, while IIT was 32-of-55 (.582) from the field and 9-of-14 (.643) on three-pointers.
- The Sabres outscored IIT 44-28 in the paint and 14-4 in bench points.
- The Marian defense was able to force 19 Scarlet Hawk turnovers, which translated to 16 points, and had seven blocks.
