Shannon scores 24 as Illinois beats Eastern Illinois 87-57
Illinois guard and teammate Malcolm Hill (4) dives to block a shot in the second half of an NCAA Division I men’s basketball game against Eastern Illinois in Champaign, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2018. Illinois won 87-57. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois guard and teammate Malcolm Hill (4) dives to block a shot in the second half of an NCAA Division I men’s basketball game against Eastern Illinois in Champaign, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2018. Illinois won 87-57. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Freshman James Shannon, from the state of Iowa, scored his second straight game-high 18 points and helped the Illini avoid an upset in Champaign, winning by 87-57 Saturday night.
The Illini (10-13) won despite missing three players from their starting lineup, namely junior forward Anthony “Pio” Jovanovic, who was suspended for an unspecified “disciplinary-related matter” and senior guards Shannon and senior forward Josh Gasser.
Illinois (8-11) was up by as many as 27 in the first quarter and led 42-27 at halftime. They were down by as many as 18 before scoring 15 straight points in the second half.
Shannon opened the game with a jumper from the left corner, then followed with a layup and free throw. Senior guard Justin Smith had three three-pointers in a row and Illinois led 44-26 after one quarter. The Illini were playing without Jovanovic, who had been suspended for Saturday night’s game.
Illinois’ run extended to seven straight points, thanks to an off-balance shot by Smith with 14:45 left in the half. He finished with 17 points.
The Illini had their largest lead, 54-32, earlier in the game when Smith scored