Illini suffer a loss on opening night
By Jeff Mayfield

[November 14, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD-The Illinois Fighting Illini suffered their first opening-night loss since 1999…that was before my son was born. But the North Florida Ospreys used marksmen-like 3-point shooting, deft passing, and clutch free throw shooting to stun the weary hosts 93-81. Both players and coaches were at a loss for words.

Though North Florida wasn’t. They know that several fans don’t like their brash, swash-buckling style, but when you can go on the road and beat a team from a power 5 conference, what do you care? Dallas Moore and Beau Beach were on fire as they led the way for the Ospreys with 26 and 25 points respectively and they could have had more. They were so unselfish that Moore also dished out 10 assists-and that’s not a misprint!

The Illini were led by Michael Thorne, Jr. who had 25 points to go along with 14 rebounds. Malcolm Hill finished the night with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

There’s really not much more to say other than it was quite an egg to lay in the opener. Illinois won’t have too much time to sulk as they face another NCAA tourney team in the North Dakota State Bison right back at the PCCC Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]
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