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Senior swingman Malcolm Hill scored five of his game-high 25
points in the opening minute of the second half to set the tone
for Illinois (4-0). Senior guard Tracy Abrams added 15 points
and senior point guard Jaylon Tate contributed a career-high 12
points with six assists.
Junior forward Jaleel Hogan and sophomore guard Josh McFolley
paced Detroit (1-2) with 16 points apiece. Senior swingman Chris
Jenkins, a preseason second-team All-Horizon League pick, added
13 points and nine rebounds in both teams' opening game of the
NIT Season Tip-Off.
Regardless of the results in the first two games of the
eight-team tournament, Illinois meets Temple, Florida State and
West Virginia for semifinal action on Thanksgiving at Barclays
Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Illinois broke out to a 15-point lead in the opening 12 minutes
before Detroit shaved the margin to 39-30 by halftime. The
Illini kept the lead from growing by hitting just 9 of 17 free
throws in the first half.
Hill changed that dynamic by hitting two free throws on
Illinois' first possession of the second half, then converting a
traditional 3-point play on the second possession.
Shortly thereafter, Illinois reeled off 11 consecutive points as
Abrams started the run with a 3-pointer and Tate capped it with
back-to-back driving layups for a 60-38 lead with 13:24 to play.
Illinois hit 18 of 21 free throws after halftime.
The Titans, who drilled 12 3-pointers in each of their first two
games, struggled to mount a rally as they converted just 5 of 21
3-pointers.
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