Illinois 75, Bradley 71

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) -- Jamar Smith hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and the Illini stormed back from a nine-point second-half deficit to defeat Bradley 75-71 Saturday night, winning a matchup of early-season unbeatens in the Chicago Invitational Challenge.

Warren Carter scored 17, Shaun Pruitt had 16 and Smith added 14. Chester Frazier scored all 10 of his points in the second half for the Illini (7-0). Frazier also had 11 assists.

Bradley (5-1) was led by 17 points from Will Franklin and 16 from Daniel Ruffin.

This is a good win for the Illini. Bradley's four-guard lineup is ultra-quick and this team will likely challenge for the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth this season.

Illinois is 7-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten. Up next: versus Maryland (in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge) at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday, November 28 at 6:00 PM.

Illinois 75, Bradley 71