The Illinois Tech Women’s Basketball team won its first game of the season on February 14, downing the Moody Bible Archers on the road. Despite trailing at halftime, the Scarlet Hawks offense found a groove in the second half to help lead the team to a 58-49 win.

How it Happened

• The Archers started the game strong, using a 6-0 run to get things started. Moody’s lead reached as high as 10 as the Archers led 16-8 at the close of the first quarter.
• The tide started to turn in the second quarter. With Moody up 18-8 with 7:52 left, Illinois Tech went on an 11-0 run over the next 3:31 to take its first lead of the contest. Five different Scarlet Hawks scored during this time period.
• The lead would change hands three more times before the end of the first half as Moody took a 24-23 lead into the intermission.
• In the third quarter, the Hawks offense was clicking on all cylinders. With the score tied at 28 at the 7:06 mark, Illinois Tech went on a 17-6 run for the rest of the quarter and ended the frame with its best shooting quarter of the season (nine-of-19, 47.4%).
• The run featured the sharpshooting of Madison Davis, who drained three three-point field goals over a span of 1:04. All three baskets were assisted by three different Scarlet Hawks. Illinois Tech ended the quarter up 45-34
• In the fourth quarter, the Scarlet Hawks withstood several Archer runs. Moody cut to lead to seven at the 8:31, 5:52, and 2:13 marks. With two made free throws with 1:23 to play, the Archers drew to within six at 55-49.
• But Illinois Tech held strong defensively. The defense held the Archers scoreless for the final 1:23, forcing four missed shots and a turnover. Davis and Raiven Johnson hit three of four free throws down the stretch to bring the game to its 58-49 final.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Davis’ shooting off the bench was impressive. The freshman tallied a team-high 13 points on four-of-10 shooting. All of her field goal attempts were from beyond the arc.  
• Venika Jarvis recorded an impressive double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds. She also recorded a season-high six steals to go along with two blocks and two assists during her stat-stuffing night.
• Kaylee Wicka led Illinois Tech starters with 11 points to accompany five rebounds, three steals, three assists, and three blocks.
• Johnson scored 10 points on four-of-nine shooting. She also had a team-high five assists and three steals.

Stats to Know

• The Scarlet Hawks dominated the Archers from the field. Illinois Tech made 10 more shots (24-14) while attempting 22 more (68-47). The final percentages were 35.3% for Illinois Tech and 29.8% for Moody.
• Free throw shooting kept the Archers in the contest. Moody Bible was 17-of-23 from the line (73.9%) compared to Illinois Tech’s six-of-14 (42.9%).
• Illinois Tech forced 31 Archer turnovers, a season-high for the Hawk defense. Illinois Tech also had 15 total steals.

Up Next

• The Scarlet Hawks look to build a winning streak on Wednesday, February 15 as RMU-Peoria travels to the Keating Sports Center for a 5 p.m. tip-off. Live audio, video, and stats will be available. The live audio will be powered by Illinois Media School.