Illini Beat Kennesaw State, 93-45
By Jeff Mayfield
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[December 29, 2014]
The Illinois Fighting Illini were
firing on all cylinders Saturday night at the State Farm Center as
they took care of the Owls of Kennesaw State, 93-45. Illinois
started the game smoking as Rayvonte Rice took the rock to the cup
and was hammered on the way up for a conventional 3-point play.
Illinois never looked back as they led 54-18 at halftime and it was
all but over.
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The Illini shot a sizzling 55% from the field for
the game and 33% from 3-point range while converting 14 of 18 free
throws for 78%. Illinois out rebounded KSU 42-35 and forced them
into 16 turnovers while committing only 6 themselves. The Illini
also dished out 19 assists and were led by Jaylon Tate with 7.
Rayvonte Rice almost rolled a perfect 300 game as he only missed one
shot all night going off for 21 points. Also joining Rice in double
figures was Malcolm Hill with 16 points and 9 rebounds, and Aaron
Cosby tallied 13. Five other players had 7 or more. KSU was led by
Yonel Brown and Damien Wilson with 10 points apiece. However, the
Illini held them to a paltry 25% shooting.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/29/images/ads/current/best%20friends%20animal%20hospital%20bc062711.png) So, what did we learn from this seemingly unimportant game
supposedly played before a capacity crowd? Well, maybe not a lot. We
do know that when Illinois shoots the ball well they appear to be a
force to be reckoned with. However, there won't be any Big Ten games
as easy as this ball game was. But is it a bad thing to create such
confidence in the team before entering league play Tuesday afternoon
at Michigan? I think not. [to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/29/images/ads/current/graue_preowned_122114.png)
In fact, to beat any Big Ten team on the road the defense must
get much stingier! I believe that we will have to be much more
rugged on the boards and players other than Rayvonte Rice must
make huge strides forward for this team to achieve a good level
of success. I still think we could be in that 4 or 5 position
when the season is over, but it will take a huge amount of work
to get to that level. If memory serves and I don’t have a
schedule handy as I pen these words…I think Illinois plays 4 of
their first 6 on the road and 10 of their next 14 away from the
friendly confines. That is not usually a recipe for outstanding
success. I just have a good feeling about this group of players
and am hoping that the good chemistry will lead to good results!
Go Illini! [By JEFF MAYFIELD]
Respond to the writer at
jeffqmay@gmail.com.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/29/images/ads/current/napa_bch1-3108.png)
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