CHICAGO – Despite facing a double-digit in the second half, the University of Chicago men's basketball team came charging back to defeat Illinois Institute of Technology 62-59 on Wednesday night.

The Maroons won their third-straight game to improve to 6-3. The Scarlet Hawks fell to 4-7 on the season.

UChicago fell behind early at 14-6, but with Bryce Hopkins shouldering much of the offensive weight, the Maroons came back to tie things at 18-18. A 9-4 run by Illinois Tech closed out the first half as the hosts led 38-33. Hopkins was the main threat on the floor with 12 points at halftime.

IIT took its biggest lead of the evening five minutes into the second half at 49-39. However, Eamonn Kenah's subsequent three-pointer kicked off a 12-point run that put the Maroons ahead 51-49. Kenah hit another trey at the end of the streak as well.

It was nip and tuck from that point on. The Scarlet Hawks briefly retook the advantage at 59-58 with two minutes remaining. But Joe Berry answered immediately with a layup on the next possession, and Elliot Paschal hit two free throws a minute later to put the Maroons up three.

IIT had one last chance to force overtime. But the three-pointer in the final seconds missed to give UChicago the win.

Hopkins put up a season-best 15 points and seven rebounds in his second game back in the lineup. Berry contributed 11 points and four rebounds off the bench. Ezra Moos chipped in eight points and four rebounds himself.

UChicago shot 40.4 percent from the field compared to 37.7 percent by Illinois Tech. The visitors won the rebounding battle 40-31.

NEXT GAME:

• Tuesday, Dec. 20 @ 7:00 PM – Illinois Wesleyan University at UChicago