The Benedictine University men's basketball team pulled away in the second half to pick up a key 75-66 win over visiting Illinois Tech on Thursday night.
Illinois Tech led for much of the first half, holding a nine-point advantage at 29-20 with 5:21 left.
Ryan Sammons scored the final four points of an 11-0 run to follow as Benedictine turned the momentum, leading 31-29. The visitors scored the final six of the half to lead 35-31 at the break. Illinois Tech was leading 41-36 with 16:32 remaining in the game when Benedictine used another run to seize the lead for good. The 13-2 stretch was opened with consecutive threes from Pat Mayfield and
Tanner Resch. Illinois Tech drew within a single point at 56-55 with nine minutes left but Benedictine consistently gained space, pulling away for the win.Â
Benedictine outscored Illinois Tech 44-31 in the second half. Benedictine finished +13 on the glass (43-30) and shot 40.6 percent from the floor in the contest. Sammons came off the bench to net 17. Mayfield also scored 17 while snaring 11 rebounds for a double-double. Two others reached double figures with Nathan LaPlany notching 12 and Resch adding 11.
Benedictine (9-14, 8-8 NACC) is off until next Wednesday when the team treks to Rockford to begin the final week of the regular season.
