Illini tame the Broncos, 71-56
By Jeff Mayfield

[March 21, 2017]  The Illinois Fighting Illini rode hot second-half shooting to buck the Broncos of Boise State last night in the State Farm Center, 71-56. It was only fitting that the lead Illini bronc buster, was senior Tracy Abrams who finished the night with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and apparently did some horse whispering on the side.

Fellow senior Malcolm Hill threw in 13 points on his way to becoming the third highest all-time scorer in Illini history. Leron Black continued his stellar end of the season play by registering another double going for 12 points and 10 rebounds. And Maverick Morgan capped off the starting seniors big night playing their last game ever in Champaign by hitting for 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.

New Coach, Brad Underwood, who’s Oklahoma State Cowboys lost a 1-point thriller to Michigan in the NCAA tournament, was introduced along with his family at halftime. He received an uproariously loud standing ovation. IF my memory serves us correctly, Lincoln’s own Geoff Alexander coached w/ Underwood down at Daytona Beach Community College a few years back.

With the victory the Illini upped their overall record to 20-14. And because the State Farm Center previously booked a 42nd Street musical it is not available for the Illini to host the NIT quarterfinal game. That information coupled with the fact that Illinois State lost a 1-point heartbreaker earlier in the night, will now send Illinois to UCF in Orlando, Florida even though the Illini are the higher seeded team.

That UCF game will be played Wednesday night in Florida.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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