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Up 21 points with 4:31 left in the first half Illinois looked to have the game against Missouri sewn up by halftime. It did not surprise the Illini when Missouri started the second half with a 6-0 run and put themselves right back in the game.
"We knew it was going to be a dog fight," Illinois sophomore guard Dee Brown, who had 18 points, said. "In college everyone is going to make a run and they got a run."
For the Illini
nothing mattered but the final score as they beat Missouri 71-70 for their fourth
consecutive Busch Braggin' Rights win.
"In the end it always comes down to who makes plays," Brown said.
"To come out with a win tonight no matter if we won by 15 or one, people
are going to know we won the game."
Illinois saw on tape they could utilize the fast break since Missouri did not get back on defense and the Illini turned the game into a track meet as they looked to push the ball in transition every time they could. It resulted in Illinois jumping to a 17-7 start.
"We showed that we did pay attention to the scouting report and pushed the ball on them," Brown said.
In the second half when Missouri eliminated the Illinois lead fans began to worry. So did the players.
"I can't lie, I was nervous," Illinois junior center Nick Smith said.
With the game on the line, Weber got the play out of his team he was looking for to secure the victory as Smith stole the ball from Missouri with under a minute left. Brown hit two free throws with 19.7 seconds left.
"At one timeout I just said do you guys believe you can win?" Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. "(I said to them) now make a play and they did."
WEBER WINS GAME WITH CLUTCH PLAY
It is not often a team's coach is described as a key reason to their success but Illinois freshman Dee Brown felt the performance Tuesday night by Bruce Weber was instrumental for the teams victory.
"For this to be his first Braggin' Rights game he did a great job," Brown said. "He called great plays. I'm so happy for him because he know how big the game was ... He performed well in the clutch for us,"
ILLINOIS WEIGHS IN SUSPENSIONS
The University of Illinois released a statement on their investigation into the suspensions of guards Luther Head, Richard McBride and center Aaron Spears. They were suspended for taking part in a burglary at a Champaign apartment.
"We have fully investigated and any appropriate discipline has been handed out," Bill Reilly, dean of students said.