CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points to power No. 11 Arizona over Illinois 83-79 on Saturday
Trailing the Illini by one with 2:22 to play, Arizona's Azuolas Tubelis capitalized on an offensive rebound by putting in a layup. On the next possession, Christian Koloko forced an Illinois turnover, and Mathurin scored an easy layup to make it 79-76 with 1:55 to go.
Mathurin opened the game by making 3 of 4 attempts from 3-point range, and finished 10 of 16 from the field and five made 3s for Arizona (9-0). Sophomore guard Kerr Kriisa added 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Tubelis had 16 points and eight rebounds.
For Illinois (7-3), guard Trent Frazier led his team with 27 points on 9 of 15 shooting, going 6 of 11 from deep. Alfonso Plummer followed closely behind, adding 25 points, and Kofi Cockburn had a game-high 12 rebounds.
Frazier scored 11 straight points in the first half during a 19-0 Illini run, which was capped by a steal and a coast-to-coast layup for a 37-24 lead at the seven-minute mark. But Arizona closed the first half on a 14-5 run, trailing 42-38 at the break after a Mathurin layup with 23 seconds left.
TRAVEL TROUBLES
The Wildcats had to make an unexpected landing in Indianapolis on Friday night instead of flying into the University of Illinois’ Willard Airport due to tornadoes and severe weather. The team had to be driven the roughly two hours to Champaign.
BIG PICTURE
Arizona: The Wildcats now have two wins over Big Ten opponents, and look poised to finish the nonconference slate without any blemishes — although they have to play at No. 13 Tennessee on Dec. 22.
Illinois: Had won five straight games before Saturday’s loss.
UP NEXT
Arizona: Hosts Northern Colorado on Wednesday.
Illinois: Hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) on Saturday.
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