Though the Illini slipped to 1-2, Wednesday’s effort against a good team with a great player in a hostile environment was monumentally better than the ones they put forth in splitting two games last weekend. A win over Providence would have gotten IL to 2-1 and started to build something down the line.
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A 3-pointer by Ben Bentil and a layup by Ryan Fazekas to open the second half gave the Friars (2-0) the biggest lead of the night for either team at 7 points.
The first half saw five lead changes, with the Friars holding the lead for most of half (15:50).
With 10 seconds left on the clock, IL guard Malcolm Hill attacked off of the dribble and got a good look at a lay-up. IL lost 60-59.
It’s one thing to miss a game-winner in general; most of the time an attempted game-winner is a heave taken off-balance that has an improbable chance of going in.
Coleman-Lands hit five 3-pointers and was the high man for the Illini with 17 points.
Another non-starter that lit the world of fire is true freshman Jalen Coleman-Lands. The freshman has hit 9 of his 16 three point attempts this year. Whenever IL needed a big bucket, he was there to deliver a triple on cue. Malcolm Hill drove, getting to the hoop but missing a layup. The freshman Aaron Jordan was also impressive as he added a crucial three pointer and 3 assists. Even though these two really didn’t contribute much, the Illini still forged ahead and made this game winnable. Mike Thorne Jr. fouled out late in the contest and shot 0 of 5 from the field after coming into the game averaging 23 points per contest. Leron Black picked up a number of cheap fouls, including a moving screen in the first half. That wasn’t quite the story, though he was a major impact in the second half. Neither player was able to post a single point as each sat on the bench in foul trouble for most of the game.
Kris Dunn (3) races to the ball after he knocked it loose from Illinois’ Malcolm Hill (21) during the an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, November 18, 2015 in Providence, R.I.
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When IL plays against a team with a superstar, it always seems as if that superstar doesn’t erupt as well as a few other player does. The sophomore absolutely killed IL on the glass as he pulled down 11 boards.
