Illini Survive Round 1 3/22/13
By: Scott Leber
Updated: March 22, 2013
Austin, Texas-The Fighting Illini have ended their NCAA Tournament drought. Friday afternoon they beat Colorado 57-49. It's the Illini's first tournament win since 2006.
The Illini dominated the first half and led by 16 points 37-21 at intermission. But they cooled off in the second half and wound up trailing by five points.
But with seven minutes to go the Illini went on a 9-0 run to regain the lead. That run included back-to-back three-pointers by D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul. Paul scored 17 points. Richardson added 14. Tracy Abrams had 13 points.
The Illini shot only 30.8% from the field for the game.
They'll next face Miami on Sunday in Austin. Miami rolled Pacific 78-49 Friday.
The Illini dominated the first half and led by 16 points 37-21 at intermission. But they cooled off in the second half and wound up trailing by five points.
But with seven minutes to go the Illini went on a 9-0 run to regain the lead. That run included back-to-back three-pointers by D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul. Paul scored 17 points. Richardson added 14. Tracy Abrams had 13 points.
The Illini shot only 30.8% from the field for the game.
They'll next face Miami on Sunday in Austin. Miami rolled Pacific 78-49 Friday.
