Illinois Pounds McKendree, 112-65

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Published on November 16 2016 7:08 am
Last Updated on November 16 2016 7:08 am

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Jalen Coleman-Lands and Maverick Morgan scored 18 points apiece to lead six players in double figures and Illinois beat Division II McKendree 112-65 on Tuesday night at State Farm Center. The Fighting Illini tied a school record by hitting 16 three-pointers, matching the total in from Illinois' NCAA Regional Final win over Arizona on March 26, 2005.

Michael Finke had 17 points, on 8-of-10 shooting, and eight rebounds and Tracy Abrams was 5-of-5 from the field with four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points and six assists. Aaron Jordan scored 11, including three 3s, and Mike Thorne Jr. had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Illinois (3-0) opened the game with a 7-0 run, including five points by Finke, and never trailed.

Coleman-Lands hit 3-pointers on three-consecutive possessions to make it 21-10 with 12:28 left in the first half and the Illini led by double figures the rest of the way.

The Illinois bench outscored McKendree's reserves 59-23 and shot 56 percent from the field, including 16 of 28 (57 percent) from 3-point range. The Illini dished out 28 assists against just six turnovers. Jaylon Tate had eight assists and zero turnovers, while Abrams and freshman Te'Jon Lucas each assisted on six baskets.

Nate Michael, son of former Illinois basketball player Tom Michael, led the McKendree (1-0) with 25 points. The game served as an exhibition for Bearcats.

Illinois hosts Detroit on Friday night, Nov. 18, as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament (7 p.m. CT on ESPN3).