Illini lose a heartbreaker
By Jeff Mayfield

[January 19, 2015]  The University of Illinois Fighting Illini lost a heartbreaker to Indiana yesterday before the largest crowd ever-17,085 at the State Farm Center, 80-74. The Illini started strong, had a bad middle-trailing 38-34 at halftime, took a nice 2nd half lead, coughed it up, saw the lead seesaw late, let IU pull away, and then it was too late.

The Illini did a great job keeping IU’s Yogi Ferrell in check holding him to nine points but two other Hoosiers, Troy Williams and James Blackmon, Jr. erupted for 21 points each. IU out rebounded the Illini and won several other statistical categories. The Illini were led by Kendrick Nunn with 24 points and Ahmad Starks with 19 points.

The Illini fall to 12-7 and 2-4 with the loss and failed to take advantage of the beginning of a nice home stand. In fact, this game marked the Illini's first home loss of the season and it is a very painful one. The Illini will have a giant mountain to climb to get back in the league race or to even have a decent hope of postseason play.

The University of Illinois Illini will host Purdue on Wednesday night.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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