Illini Squeeze Out Victory Over Indiana

CHAMPAIGN (AP) – Trent Frazier and Leron Black each scored 19 points to help Illinois squeeze out a 73-71 victory over Indiana Wednesday night at State Farm Center.

The two-point victory was the team's first Big 10 Conference win of the season and the first of coach Brad Underwood's career. It also snapped the Illini's six-game losing streak.

Indiana jumped all over Illinois early, taking a 12-4 lead but freshman Frazier kept the Illini afloat in the first half. With just over six minutes left in the period, he reeled off 13 straight points.

Illinois entered the break trailing by six but made 22-of-30 free throws in the second half. The Illini outscored the Hoosiers 41-33 in the final period, highlighted by a three-pointer from Kipper Nichols.

Leading by three, Illinois swung the ball to Nichols for a wide open look. He buried the long jumper and the fans at State Farm Center erupted as he put the Illini ahead by two possessions.

That six-point lead proved to be big, as Indiana cut the lead to two with just 8.3 seconds left. But it wasn't enough. Devonte Green turned it over on Indiana's last possession.

Juwan Morgan scored 25 points, his seventh 20-point game of the season, and Zach McRoberts scored a season-high 10 points.

Illinois had four players score in double figures.

Up next, Illinois hosts Rutgers on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 6 pm CT.

TEAM NOTES

    Illinois won a Big Ten game for the first time this season.
    Illinois was 22-of-30 from the free-throw line in the second half, its most free throws made in a half this season.
    Illinois took its first lead, 53-51, with 11:41 remaining in the second half. That was the only lead change in the game, as Illinois led for the final 11:41.
    Illinois trailed 38-32 at half, but went on a 6-0 run in the first 1:39 of the second half to tie the game.
    Neither team made a field goal over a 7:55 span in the second half (10:42-2:47).
    Illinois did not make a field goal for a 8:39 span in the second half (10:55-2:16), before Kipper Nichols hit a three to put Illinois up 69-63.
    Illinois forced 18 turnovers, tied for Indiana's most since 19 turnovers in the season opener against Indiana State.
    Indiana shot 55.2 percent from the free-throw line (16-29), its third-worst shooting game from the line this season.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

    Freshman guard Trent Frazier tied for the team lead with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Frazier has scored in double figures in 11 of the last 12 games, averaging 16.2 points (194) and 2.0 steals (24) over that stretch. Frazier scored 13 straight Illinois points in the first half over 4:30 (6:29-1:59).
    Junior forward Leron Black tied for the team lead with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Black is averaging 15.6 points (78) on 66.7 percent shooting (34-51) over the last five games.