By IlliniGuys Staff
January 13, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Dain Dainja scored 20 points and the Illinois defense locked down another opponent late in the game as they rallied to beat Michigan State 75-66 in Big Ten play Friday night.
It's the third win in a row for Illinois (12-5, 3-3) after struggling in December and starting the year with a stunning loss at Northwestern nine days ago.
The Spartans (12-5, 4-2) came in on a seven-game win streak, but found themselves trying to catch Illini star Terrence Shannon Jr. in the opening minutes. The Texas Tech transfer, who averaged 24.5 points per game in the Illini's back-to-back wins over Wisconsin and Nebraska, scored 15 of Illinois' 19 points in the first 9 1/2 minutes of the game. But Michigan State put him in check and took control to enjoy a 37-33 lead at halftime.
The visitors built that lead as high as nine points at 50-41 when Illinois began to chip away. Matthew Mayer scored 10 points and Dainja and Coleman Hawkins four each to spark an 18-4 run that gave the Illini a 59-54 lead.
Michigan State fought back to tie the game at 60 with 5:47 left to go, but managed only two field goals the rest of the game as Illinois closed on a 15-6 run.
Mayer finished with 19 points and a career-high six blocked shots and Shannon scored 16 for Illinois, which held the Spartans without a three-point basket (0-7). A.J. Hoggard led Michigan State with 20 points.
The Illini will travel to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers on Monday (5pm, BTN).
Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete coverage of the Illini victory.
B1G Football Predictions Show & Illini Hoops Recruiting Update #393
ListenSept 6 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4 Ep 4
ListenSept 6 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4 Ep 4
ListenKed's Recruiting Roundup - Destiny Jackson & Her Mom Talk with Kedric
ListenKansas Jayhawks vs Illinois Fighting Illini Football Preview with Henry Greenstein #392
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys - Kansas vs Illini - Finebaum vs Kelly - Penn State's Kotelnicki Next Big Head Coaching Hire?
ListenAug 30 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4 Ep 3
ListenAug 30 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4 Ep 3
ListenIllini 45 EIU 0 with Matt Stevens & Kedric Prince #391
ListenInstant Take - Illini Win 45-0 Over EIU #390
ListenEastern Illinois Panthers vs Illini Football Preview #389
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini Football Preview - Defense, Special Teams & Predictions #388
ListenAug 23 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4 Ep 2
ListenAug 23 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4 Ep 2
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini Football Preview - the Offense #387
Listen