Illini Top American 70-55, Improve To 7-1
Illinois guard Kendrick Nunn (25) shoots from behind the basket while being guarded by American guard Charlie Jones (20) and center Zach Elcano (44) at The State Farm Center Saturday. (AP Photo/Robin Scholz)
Malcolm Hill scored 13 points as Illinois defeated American 70-55 on Saturday. After consecutive poor shooting performances against Baylor and Miami, the Illinois offense was back to its usual form.
The Illini (7-1) only led by two points midway through the first half, but a 17-2 run put the Eagles (5-4) in an early deficit.
American whittled the lead to eight with 10:42 remaining in the second half.
But the Illini's Jaylon Tate had a three-point play and Hill drained a 3-pointer off a steal on the next possession.
Nnanna Egwu chipped in five points and seven rebounds, while Rayvonte Rice worked his way through a shooting slump, 1-of-7 from the field, to finish with 10 points.
The Illini shot 48.1 percent from the floor in the first half.
Pee Wee Gardner led American with 16 points.
Links
- Miami Gives Illinois Men’s Basketball Its First Loss, 70-61
- Illinois Uses Big 2nd Half To Top Brown, 89-68
- Illinois Beats Georgia Southern 80-71 In Men’s Basketball Opener
- Illini Fall To Clemson In NIT, 50-49
- Illini to Play Baylor After Defeating Indiana State At Vegas
- Illini Basketball Court Not Damaged By Water