CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After trailing by as much as 27, this one came down to the final seconds — and it didn’t end the way Illinois hoped.
A late rally in the second half couldn’t break the Hurricanes lead on Monday night at the State Farm Center. After falling behind by double digits the Illini were unable to mount a successful second half comeback and lost, 81-79.
Miami gave Illinois all that it could handle in the first half. An early 12-2 run in the first five minutes set Miami up for the rest of the game.