Box Score CHICAGO, Ill. (WLCSports.com) - Senior Andrew Bruggink (Brookfield, Wis.) scored a game-high 23 points to lead five players in double figures as the Wisconsin Lutheran College men's basketball team won its fifth straight game Tuesday night, defeating Illinois Tech 75-59 inside the Keating Sports Center. WLC improved to 6-1 in the NACC while winning for the first time against the Scarlet Hawks.
- Final Score: Wisconsin Lutheran 75, Illinois Tech 59
- Records: Wisconsin Lutheran (9-3, 6-1 NACC), Illinois Tech (4-8, 2-5 NACC)
- Location: Keating Sports Center, Chicago, Ill.
- The Warriors scored the first six points of the game and never trailed through the first 10:12 of the contest.
- An 8-0 run by the Scarlet Hawks gave them their first lead of the game at 16-13. The lead then changed hands three times over 40 seconds and a 12-2 scoring surge by WLC which spanned nearly six minutes gave the visitors a 31-20 lead with 2:23 left in the first half.
- Wisconsin Lutheran went into halftime holding its largest lead of the first half of 37-25. Junior Matty Farner (Muskego, Wis.) scored all 11 of his points in the first half, while Bruggink added 10.
- The teams traded baskets for the first five minutes to start the second half and IIT chipped its deficit down to just four points at 47-43 with 14:39 remaining.
- Clinging to a 52-50 lead with just over 12 minutes to play, the Warriors used a 14-0 run to tie their largest lead of the game at 66-50. Sophomore Drew Bernhagen (Markesan, Wis.) netted six points during the crucial run.
- The Scarlet Hawks came within 10 points with 2:50 to play, but WLC made four straight free throws and converted two layups to seal its sixth conference win.
- Bruggink paced five players in double figures with a game-high 23 points for his 10th straight double-digit scoring game. He also tied a team high with six rebounds.
- Joining him in double figures were Bernhagen (12), Farner (11), with sophomore Alex VanCrete (Green Lake, Wis.) and senior Andrew Wojcik (Brookfield, Wis.) adding 10 points apiece.
- The Warriors shot 49.1 percent (26-for-53) from the floor and a season-high 94.7 percent (18-for-19) from the charity stripe.
- WLC out-rebounded IIT 29-26 and out-scored the hosts 23-10 in points off turnovers.
- Wisconsin Lutheran tied its best conference start since the 2001-2002 season.
- Max Hisatake scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for a double-double to lead three Scarlet Hawks in double figures.
- Illinois Tech finished the game shooting 45.8 percent (22-for-48) from the floor.
- The Warriors look for their best conference start since 1999-2000 on Saturday at home when they host No. 21 Benedictine (10-2, 6-1 NACC) at 2:00 p.m. The Eagles overcame a 13-point halftime deficit tonight to defeat MSOE, 81-74. Links to live stats and video will be available for the game at WLCSports.com.
