Saturday: Good til the last shot

More news about: Illinois Tech | Illinois Wesleyan | John Carroll | Marian
Dec 14, 2024
Dario Biaggi scored the game-winning layup and Illinois Tech scored one of the biggest upsets of the season so far.
Photo by Jami Sponaugle, Illinois Tech athletics

Illinois Tech shocked No. 6 Wisconsin Lutheran at the buzzer, while Marian stayed unbeaten and Aaron Griess set a program record for wins at Augsburg, thanks to last-second shots. In women’s action, No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan and John Carroll picked up one more conference win before the holiday break.

Wisconsin Lutheran struggled on offense, shooting 30 percent from the field (17 for 57) and turning the ball over 17 times, but still had a chance to pull out the win. Grayson Goetz scored a game-tying layup with 10 seconds left up and got fouled. He finished the three-point play, putting the Warriors in front 62-61, and the Scarlet Hawks called time. Out of the break, Garrison Carter found Dario Biaggi who drove to the rim for the game-winning layup. Recap

Marian doubled up Aurora in overtime and defeated the Spartans, 72-64, for its ninth straight win to start the season. Dwayne Jervier, Jr. made two free throws with 6.4 seconds left in regulation, giving Aurora a three-point lead. The Sabres inbounded the ball to Brandon Adorno who raced down the court and hit a game-tying three at the buzzer. Marian (9-0, 3-0 NACC) held Aurora to two field goals and sank seven of its eight free throws in the extra period.

Aaron Griess became the winningest men’s basketball coach at Augsburg in memorable fashion, as Ali Axmed lifted the Auggies over Concordia-Moorhead, 69-68. The Cobbers took a 68-66 lead on Kaden Pieper’s three-point play, only to see Axmed win the game-winning shot with 0.5 seconds left. Griess has 267 wins at Augsburg and 338 in his career, including those at Division II Chaminade.

No. 23 Stockton stayed hot and unbeaten in the NJAC with a 63-60 win at Rutgers-Newark. Martin Anguelov scored 16 points for the Ospreys, who are the lone NJAC team without a conference loss.

Gwynedd Mercy remained unbeaten with a three-point barrage that led the Griffins past Lebanon Valley, 83-69. Gwynedd Mercy shot 59 percent from behind the arc with 17 threes, including six from guard Aquil Stewart. Mike Marable added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Griffins (9-0).

Braylen Salters poured in 35 points, and Pitt-Bradford broke the century mark for the seventh time this season in an 117-103 victory over Hilbert. Jamarion Butler filled the stat sheet with 23 points, 10 rebounds, seven steals and five assists for the Panthers (8-0) who will play No. 8 Wooster on Dec. 29.

In women’s action, John Carroll defeated Marietta, 70-61, in a matchup of OAC title contenders. The Blue Streaks found their offensive rhythm in the second half after scoring 29 points in the first. John Carroll took the lead with a 20-point third quarter and then held off the Pioneers in the final period. Ava Ryncarz tallied 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals for John Carroll (7-1, 2-1 OAC).

No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan made 14 three-pointers and clobbered Elmhurst 93-56 for its ninth straight win. After a close first quarter, the Titans broke open the game with a 31-8 second period. Kate Palmer, Lauren Huber and Mallory Powers scored double figures in limited minutes for Illinois Wesleyan (9-0, 3-0 CCIW), which will play No. 18 Chicago on Tuesday night.

Cortland extended its winning streak to six games by beating Hamilton, 65-56. Kayla Campbell posted 17 points and seven rebounds for the Red Dragons (6-1). Taylor Lambo scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Continentals (7-2). Cortland’s lone loss came at No. 4 Scranton in the season opener.

Albright had more than luck on its side, as the Lions rolled over Gwynedd-Mercy, 83-58, for head coach Janice Luck’s 300th career win. Albright held the Griffins to 23 points in the second half and had three players score double figures, led by Mackenzie Dover (13 points).