Illinois beats Morehead State in NCAA Tournament opener after second-half surge

[{"selector":"#anim-ee8dfff4-8a51-451a-b1af-c218c4c51247 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Omaha – Third-seeded Illinois defeated No. 14 seed Morehead State 85-69 in the NCAA Tournament opening round on Thursday afternoon

[{"selector":"#anim-dc883c1b-784c-4987-8f34-e853a5aaf09b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.796013811903159%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] at CHI Health Center Omaha. After shooting 60.7% in the second half, the Fighting Illini defeated the Eagles 46-31 for their first NCAA Tournament win since 2022.

[{"selector":"#anim-6518b56e-a30f-4a65-b05c-2e6e88cfc48a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.24369100328031%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Marcus Domask had his first triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. The triple-double is Illinois'

[{"selector":"#anim-9ccb5221-ea96-465c-8490-b820c715c9cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.23373512422963%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] sixth, the first in the NCAA Tournament, and the 10th overall. Domask completed his triple-double with a clutch 3-pointer at 2:58 of the second half, the team's final field goal.

[{"selector":"#anim-07d2913a-00bb-401e-968e-7e4732a8512a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.246337776828504%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] In the second half, Dain Dainja scored 17 of his 21 points and shot 9-for-9 from the field for a season-best.

[{"selector":"#anim-7c18741a-8e45-4f8a-b1de-1e1852938388 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.796013811903159%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Dainja tied his season-best with eight rebounds, three on the offensive glass, and two blocks.

[{"selector":"#anim-c11ec887-95b5-4e2d-b5c6-28ad40b5cb2f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.24369100328031%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 26 points, his fifth straight 20-point game.

[{"selector":"#anim-8fbb26df-0cb9-419f-90b9-ac37e40a8e93 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Shannon scored 19 points in the first half and went 2-for-3 in the second.

Blueberry-banana Smoothie

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Illinois beats Morehead State in NCAA Tournament opener after second-half surge

Blueberry-banana Smoothie

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