CHICAGO – After going back and forth for a majority of the contest, the defense for Illinois Tech stepped up to give the MSOE men's basketball team their second conference loss of the season in the Windy City Saturday afternoon.

FINAL SCORE
MSOE RAIDERS – 71

Illinois Tech - 72

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After both sides missing out on opportunities to start the game, Anay Amoah nailed a three on a kickout from Chase Cummings to give MSOE (5-3, 1-2 NACC) the early 3-0 lead. A three pointer from Illinois Tech (2-6, 1-2 NACC) gave them their first lead just over minutes in before Carson Cordelli fed Mason Dopirak in the paint to retake the lead 12-11 with 11:42 remaining in the half. The Raider lead grew to as large at six after Dopirak and Donovan Carter nailed threes on back-to-back possessions but was cut down to one at the buzzer with the Red & White leading 34-33 at the break.
• After the Scarlet Hawks came out of the break to immediately take back the lead, a steal and breakaway slam by Amoah retook the lead for the Raiders 41-40. Scarlet Hawks answered on the next possession to take the lead back and held it until Jordan Pollnow knocked in a crucial three pointer to allow to get back in it. The Raiders held an advantage for the next minute before the Scarlet Hawks took it back over and with 7:16 remaining, they didn't it up the rest of the way to hand the Raiders their second conference loss.

MSOE STAT TRACKER
Points – Mason Dopirak (25)
Rebounds – Mason Dopirak (8)
Assists – Chase Cummings (5)
Steals – Mason Dopirak (2)
Blocks – Ethan Johnson (1)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Raiders will hit the court next weekend, Saturday December 14^th, when they take on Dominican University in River Forest. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.

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