Jordan Gainey scored on a 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 Saturday.
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 handed the ball to Igor Milicic, took it again and ran three-quarters of the courtroom and scored on Jakucionis as time expired.
Jordan Gainey’s coast-to-coast recreation winner secures win No. 1 of Tennessee for 66-64 over Illinois
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 to place the Vols inside 64-62.
Tennessee gained its first 10 video games of 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 foul line. Illinois hit 30 of 36 free throw makes an attempt.
Takeaway
Tennessee: The Vols ought to preserve their No. 1 seed. 1 within the AP Poll with the win.
Illinois: The Illini didn’t win the rebounding battle for the primary time this season, dropping 42-37.
Key second
Tennessee hadn’t trailed by greater than three factors this season earlier than trailing 8-0 within the first half. The Vols recovered and pulled forward 18-17.
Highlights of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. #1 Tennessee Volunteers | You’re on the lookout for FOX College
Key statistic
Tennessee is 9-1 in video games wherein it ranks first in coach Rick Barnes’ 10 seasons and is 10-2 all-time. Illinois fell to 3-23 all-time in opposition to No. 1 groups. 1 within the rankings.
Next
Tennessee hosts Western Carolina on Tuesday. Illinois faces Missouri on Dec. 22 in St. Louis.
Associated Press reporting.
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