Digiorgio Sets Rebounding Record, Hawks top Stars

The Illinois Tech Men’s Basketball team bested Dominican at Keating Sports Center on January 31, winning 68-58. The game held a bit of history in it, as junior Jake Digiorgio became the leading rebounder in Illinois Tech history with 768 rebounds at the end of the night.

How it Happened

  • Both teams struggled from the floor to begin the game, going a combined 3-8 in the first few minutes. Then Dominican began to find a rhythm, particularly from behind the three-point arc. The Stars’ Isaac Moore hit two three-point shots that helped Dominican gain a 19-13 lead. But Illinois Tech managed to come back, using a balanced offensive attack behind leading scorers Digiorgio (10 points), Jake Bruns (nine points) and Malik Howze (eight points). After several lead changes and ties, Illinois Tech held a 34-29 lead.
  • With less than a minute to go, Digiorgio pulled down his eighth rebound of the game, making him the all-time rebound leader in Illinois Tech history with 765 boards.
  • The great competition continued at the start of the second half. The Scarlet Hawks went on a 10-6 run to extend the lead to nine. Max Hisatake got going as well, scoring six points and pulling down four rebounds in the first five minutes of the period. The lead stayed at nine until Dominican began to cut the lead down to three points.  However, Digiorgio countered every time with a basket of his own when the Stars got close. He finished with a double-double and helped close out the game while owning the night as the Hawks won 68-58.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

  • Digiorgio finished with a double-double, scoring 16 and dominating the glass with 11 rebounds. He added a block as well.
  • Hisatake shined in the second half and finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
  • Bruns also scored 16 points, with three rebounds, a steal, and an assist.
  • Howze joined the double-digit scorers with 13 of his own. He added eight boards and eight assists.

Stats to Know

  • Illinois Tech shot an outstanding 50.9% from the floor (27-53) and 38.5% from the three-point line (five-13).
  • The Hawks out rebounded the Stars 39-22.
  • Illinois Tech also outscored Dominican in the paint (30-18).
  • The Scarlet Hawks did commit more turnovers, 18-11.

Up Next

  • Illinois Tech will face Maranatha on Thursday, February 1 at 8 p.m.