Jordan Gainey scored on a driving layup as time expired and completed with a career-high 23 factors as No. 1 Tennessee prolonged its season-opening successful streak to 10 video games, beating Illinois 66-64 on Saturday at State Farm Heart in Champaign.
After Illinois tied the sport at 64 on the second of two free throws by Kasparas Jakucionis with 5.7 seconds left, Gainey took management. The Vols’ senior guard inbounded the ball to Igor Milicic, acquired it again and raced three-quarters the size of the court docket and scored over Jakucionis as time ran out.
Chaz Lanier scored 17 factors for Tennessee earlier than fouling out with 3:42 left. Milicic had 14 rebounds and a key steal and dunk with 1:32 remaining that put the Vols up 64-62.
Tennessee has gained its first 10 video games in a season for the primary time in 25 years.
Jakucionis scored 22 factors for Illinois (7-3). Tre White had 11 factors and Kylan Boswell and Will Riley added 10 apiece.
Tennessee led 31-30 at halftime and completed 20 of 28 from the road. Illinois hit 30 of 36 free throw tries.
Takeaways
Tennessee: The Vols ought to retain their No. 1 spot within the AP ballot with the win.
Illinois: The Illini didn’t win the rebounding battle for the primary time this season, trailing 42-37.
Key second
Tennessee hadn’t trailed by greater than three factors this season earlier than falling behind 8-0 within the first half. The Vols rallied and moved forward at 18-17.
Key stat
Tennessee is 9-1 in video games during which they’re ranked No. 1 in coach Rick Barnes’ 10 seasons and is 10-2 all-time. Illinois fell to 3-23 all-time vs. No. 1-ranked groups.
Up subsequent
Tennessee hosts Western Carolina on Tuesday. Illinois takes on Missouri on Dec. 22 in St. Louis.
