Demetri McCamey posted 22 points and 11
assists, as Illinois held on to upend fifth-ranked Michigan State, 78-73, at
Assembly Hall.
Mike Davis added 16 points for the Illini (16-8, 8-3 Big Ten) and got a piece
of a potential game-tying three in the closing moments. D.J. Richardson
provided 14 points as Illinois won its fourth consecutive game.
Draymond Green had 17 points and 16 boards for the Spartans (19-5, 9-2), who
were playing without leading scorer Kalin Lucas because of an ankle injury he
suffered in Tuesday's loss at Wisconsin.
Chris Allen added 15 points and Durrell Summers had 11 in the loss.
In a tie game inside the final two minutes, Illinois took the lead on a layup
by Brandon Paul with 1:19 to go, though Paul missed the subsequent free throw.
After a turnover by each team, McCamey drained a three with 39 ticks left to
boost the Illini lead to 73-68.
Michigan State battled back, though. First Green was in the right place at the
right time to tip in a ball, and after Richardson sank 1-of-2 at the line,
Summers' three with 17 seconds left got the Spartans within 74-73.
Richardson was then fouled and sank both attempts for a three-point game, but
Summers had the ball with a chance to tie. However, Davis played tight defense
and got a fingertip on the ball, which never made it to the rim. Davis then
slammed at the other end to seal the win.
The Illini jumped out to a 14-4 lead, but the Spartans followed with a run of
their own, and Isaiah Dahlman's layup with 11:51 left in the half made it a
16-16 game.
Illinois edged back out in front, though Austin Thornton's jumper at the
buzzer got MSU within 35-34 at the break.
The second half was back-and-forth, as each team held the lead. Raymar Morgan
sank two free throws with 1:44 left to make it a 68-68 contest.
Game Notes
Michigan State leads the all-time series 54-53...Illinois has an 12-1 home
mark this season...The Spartans have won five of the last six meetings with
the Illini...Michigan State outrebounded Illinois 34-24.
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