ILLINOIS ADVANCES

Dave Johnson...Indiana Sports Page

(Chicago)  In Game 1 of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, No. 8 Illinois defeated No. 9
Minnesota, 51-49. The Fighting Illini advance to face No. 1 Indiana at 11 a.m. CT on
Friday in the first of four quarterfinals.

Illinois went on a 23-9 run to take 25-16 lead into the halftime locker room. Both
team shot miserably in the first half, Gophers were 6-22 for 27% and the Illini only
making 9-24 for 37.5%.

The Gophers battled back in the second half taking a 49-46. lead with under a minute
remaining. The Illini tied the game at 49 with under a minute remaining on a
trifecta from Richardson. The Gophers  failed on an out of bounds play and a
turnover by Minnesota's Andre Hollins with 14 seconds left, gave the Illini the
ball. Illinois' Brandon Paul proceded to hit a fade away jumper to lift the Illini
over the Gophers 51-49.

FINAL STATS: