Friday, November 24, 2006

Illinois 51, Miami (Ohio) 49

Chester Frazier's driving layup with 18 seconds left gave Illinois a 50-49 lead and Warren Carter's free throw with 6 seconds left accounted for the final point of the game as the Illini won a defensive battle with Miami (Ohio), 51-49.

After trailing 33-26 at the half, the Illini cranked up the defensive pressure and held Miami to just 16 points in the second half to overtake the stubborn Redhawks.

Miami's Nathan Peavy led all scorers with 22 points and all rebounders with 11. The Illini shot just 39% for the game and had just three players in double figures: Rich McBride had 11 points, while Shaun Pruitt and Chester Frazier added 10 points each. Pruitt grabbed 9 rebounds but the Illini were outrebounded by the smaller Redhawks 29-19. One bright spot for the Illini: free throw shooting. The Illini converted 13 of 16 free throws, as Frazier made all six of his attempts and Warren Carter sank 6 of his 8.

The Illini improve to 6-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: versus Bradley in the championship game of the Chicago Invitational at the Sears Centre in suburban Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Saturday, November 25 at 7:30 PM. This game will be televised by WCIA-TV in Champaign.

Illinois 51, Miami (Ohio) 49

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