Illini Shucks Nebraska, 69-57

Send a link to a friend  Share

[March 05, 2015]  CHAMPAIGN-URBANA - Champaign-Urbana-The University of Illinois Fighting Illini overcame a 13-0 Nebraska run to start the second half, and went on to beat the Cornhuskers 69-57 on senior night.

Seniors Rayvonte Rice, Nnanna Egwu, Ahmad Starks and Ryan Schmidt combined for 34 points to pace the Illini to victory. Rice led the way with 23 points in his final State Farm Center appearance. Also in double figures were Leron Black and Kendrick Nunn each with 11 points and Malcolm Hill came in with 10.

Nebraska was led in scoring by Shavon Shields with 14 points and Terran Petteway with 13 on the night. The Illini outrebounded Nebraska 31-28 and forced 10 Cornhusker turnovers while committing only eight of their own. Nnanna Egwu had four blocks in his final home appearance.

The win takes the Illini record to 19-11 and 9-8 in the conference as they took care of business at home. The victory also takes the team to 14-2 at home this season with a 7-2 mark in league play. However, U of I far from safe at this point in the proceedings. They will need at least a win at Purdue on Saturday and or a win or two in the Big Ten Tourney that starts Wednesday in Chicago to secure a likely NCAA berth.

[LDN]

 

Back to top