Illinois holds off Indiana in overtime, 83-80


December 31, 2013 at 5:57p.m.

Illinois holds off Indiana in overtime, 83-80

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois sank five key free throws late to knock off Indiana in overtime 83-80 Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Illinois center Nnanna Egwu sank two free throws with 22 seconds left in overtime to give the Illini (12-2) an 80-77 lead. Thirteen seconds later Tracy Abrams sank another and Rayvonte Rice closed it with two free throws with 2 seconds left.

Rice led Illinois with a game-high 29 points and eight rebounds. Abrams had 17 points.

Indiana (10-4) was led by Yogi Ferrell’s 30 points.

The Hoosiers led 67-63 with just under 5 minutes to play but had to come from behind on a pair of Ferrell free throws in the final minute to force overtime with the score tied 71-71.

Hoosier freshman Noah Vonleh finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. But he fouled out with 2 seconds left in overtime.