Morning Box Score: Illinois Escapes with Win
By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 20, 2011 2:30PM
Illinois must have still been licking its wounds following Saturday's loss to UNLV, because they had to rally to beat Cornell. D.J. Richardson helped spark the rally with nine second half points after the Illini opened the second half shooting 1 for 13 from the field. Meyers Leonard led Illinois with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Richardson added 17 and Brandon Paul contributed 15 points.
The Flames improved to 4-7 on the season thanks to Gary Talton, who scored his team's final eight points, including the game-winner with 3.8 seconds left in regulation. Talton finished with 15 while Daniel Barnes scored a career high 22 points as UIC went on a 10-1 run in the final 1:55.
Loyola had an easy time with Division II Rockhurst at the Gentile Center last night. Ben Averkamp led the way for the Ramblers with 23 points and eight rebounds as Loyola shot 51 percent from the field for the game. Walt Gibler added 13 points for the Ramblers.