Black's Career-High 28 Pushes Illinois Past Nebraska, 72-66
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Leron Black scored a career-high 28 points and snagged seven rebounds, to help Illinois outlast Nebraska for a 72-66 victory on Sunday afternoon.
There were six ties and nine lead changes during the game, but the deciding basket came from Black. He nailed a fadeaway jumper with two minutes left that put the Illini ahead by three and brought the State Farm Center crowd to its feet.
On the Illini's final two possessions Trent Frazier and Mark Smith knocked down four free throws to secure the win.
Illinois (13-15, 3-12 Big Ten) shot 62 percent from the field and knocked down 7 of 9 from behind the arc to outscore Nebraska 43-36 in the first half. But after the break, the Cornhuskers used a 16-4 run to climb back in it for a five-point lead.
The teams traded baskets the rest of the way, but Black proved to be too much. He knocked down 3-of-5 from behind the arc in his second consecutive 20-point performance.
Frazier and and Nichols were the only other Illini to score in double figures, finishing with 12 points apiece.
Isaac Copeland led the way for Nebraska (20-9, 11-5) with 17 points.
BIG PICTURE
Glynn Watson Jr, Nebraska's third leading scorer, finished with just three points on 1-of-9 shooting. The loss snapped the Cornhuskers six-game winning streak.
Illinois has lost a lot of close games this season, but on Sunday afternoon they were able to hold on for victory. The slight win should give Brad Underwood's young squad some confidence moving forward as they prepare to close out the regular season.
UP NEXT
Nebraska returns home to take on Indiana. The Hoosiers are led by Juwan Morgan, who is ranked eighth in the Big Ten in scoring at 16.6 points per game.
Illinois will hit the road and face Michigan State on Tuesday. The No. 2 Spartans have a 10-game winning streak.
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