Late 3-Pointers Lift Illinois Past Colorado 57-49

Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson made consecutive 3-pointers to give Illinois the lead with 6 minutes left and the seventh-seeded Illini pulled out a tough 57-49 win over Colorado in a game of wild momentum swings Friday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Illinois led by 16 at halftime only to watch Colorado rip off a 21-2 run in the second to grab the lead. The Illini looked desperate until Paul and Richardson coolly knocked down their shots to put Illinois ahead 48-44.

Four free throws by Paul eventually put the game away for the Illini (23-12), who will play No. 2 seed Miami on Sunday.

Paul led Illinois with 17 points. Askia Booker scored14 points for Colorado (21-12).