IlliniGuys Staff
November 20, 2022
Jayden Epps versus Virginia courtesy Joe Pickrell, IlliniGuys
Las Vegas, NV - The Fighting Illini (4-1) fell to the Virginia Cavaliers 70-61 in Las Vegas. The Illini led at the half 31-29. The veteran Cavaliers (4-0) team elevated their defensive pressure and outscored the Illini 14-3 during the last 3:26 of the game, turning a 58-56 Illini lead into the final deficit. The Cavaliers are one of the oldest teams in college basketball and they demonstrated a cool down the stretch that one would expect a veteran team to show.
The Cavaliers featured balanced scoring with Reece Beekman leading the way with 17 and both Jayden Gardner and Kihei Clark scored 12 points each. Ben Vander Plas led the Cavaliers in rebounds with 10 and he ended up with 8 points on 8-9 shots from the FT line.
The Illini were led by freshman Jayden Epps who finished with 14 points. Coleman Hawkins finished with 10 points, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. Terrance Shannon, Jr. scored 9 points with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. The Illini were led in rebounding by Dain Dainja who had 6 boards to go with his 5 points.
The pace of the game was much slower as the Cavaliers defense prevented the Illini from running. The Illini only scored 3 points off of the fastbreak and only 9 points after turnovers. In the second half, Virginia picked up the defensive pressure which resulted in 10 2nd half Illini turnovers compared to only 3 in the first half. The Cavaliers scored 15 points off of those 2nd half turnovers.
The Cavaliers had an advantage at the free throw line shooting 25-32 at the free throw line compared to 4-9 for the Illini.
The Illini play next on Friday November 25th at the State Farm Center at 8 pm central against Lindenwood. The game will be telecast on B1G+ (streaming).
Illinois Athletics State of the Union Discussion - #487
ListenWhitman's Illini State of the Nation & the NBA Draft - 6.27.25 - S4Ep46
ListenZach Hamer Illini Asst BB Coach Talks KJ, Will & the NBA Draft - #486
ListenIllini FB Recruiting Update, If Illini FB was a Movie & NIL & NBA Draft "What If" #485
ListenIllini BB International Players & Cearah Parchment the newest IlliniGal - 6.20.25 - S4Ep45
ListenIllini FB Recruiting Blitz & House Settlement Implications - 6.13.25 - S4Ep44
ListenIllini Update Featuring 3-Star Illini WR Commit Kenyon Alston - #484
ListenIllini Hoops & Football Schedules, Illini HOF Voting & More - 6.6.25 - S4Ep43
ListenFB Portal Thoughts, Expectations, BB Update & for the 1st Time in My Life...#483
ListenMay 30 - Hr2 - S4Ep42 - Illini Recruiting, NBA Draft, Caitlin Clark & More
ListenMay 30 - Hr1 - S4Ep42 - FB & BB Contracts, FB & Golf Update & Brian Barnhart
ListenMay 23 - Hr2 - S4Ep41 - French Open, Indiana Pro Hoops & Softball
ListenMay 23 - Hr1 - S4Ep41 - Illini FB Recruiting, Golf and Track
ListenHigh School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482
ListenMay 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium
Listen