Illinois Fighting Illini thump Coppin State Eagles 80-63 - NCAA Basketball
Illinois Fighting Illini are yet to lose a game in the NCAA Basketball Tournament 2011.
In their last game against St. Bonaventure Bonnies, they looked awful and gave their worst performance of the tournament, but because of the mammoth confidence they had gained through the previous wins, still managed to finish
on top.
Just few hours ago, learning from their mistakes in the last game, Illini bounced back strongly and put up yet another dominating performance, crushing the Coppin State Eagles 80-63 to improve their unbeaten record to 10-0.
Illini were aggressive and shot season best 10 three-pointers in the game tonight along with an impressive 56 percent from inside the arc.
D.J Richardson marshalled them with 20 points including 4 for 8 from the downtown. Meyers Leonard was also superb and completed a double-double by pounding 18 points on an accurate 4 for 4 from the charity stripe and also forced11
rebounds, while Brandon Paul and Sam Maniscalco both added 12.
For Eagles, Tony Gallo scored the game high 21 points on 4 for 8 from the downtown, while Michael Harper, who came off the bench late, chipped in with 13. No other player from the side managed to produce a decent tally.
The first 10 minutes of the game were exciting and competitive as both teams fought out for the early momentum. However, things started to change after the 10th minute when the scores were tied at 20. All of a sudden,
Illini changed gears and initiated a 16-2 run to break away.
Although Gallo and Michael Murray bolted back a late 8-2 run in the frame, the Eagles still found themselves trailing behind 38-30 by the end of the half.
In the second half, it only took 3 minutes for Illini to boost their lead to double digits 42-32 in the next half and after three more minutes, it amounted to 17 points 54-37, courtesy of D.J and Brandon’s aggressive offensive
play.
At that point, the game was slipping away from Eagles and a gallant effort was required from them to get back on track. That is when Gallo and Harper stepped up to the party and reeled off an outstanding 20-5 run that got Eagles
back in the game with scores at 59-57 - Illini still ahead, but just by 2 points.
Unfortunately for Eagles though, the run stopped there and they could only manage to score 6 more points until the end. In contrast, Illini pounded 21 more points to complete yet another massive victory.
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