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Smith, Nichols career highs push Illinois past DePaul

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Mark Smith had a career-high 21 points and Kipper Nichols tied his best with 16 to push Illinois past DePaul 82-73 on Friday night.

Illinois (3-0) made just 5 of 23 3-pointers and shot just 42 percent from the field and 21.7 percent from downtown but it wasn't because of Nichols. Coming off the bench, he nailed two of his three attempts from behind the arc in the Illini's first meeting with the Blue Demons (1-2) in 60 years.

The Blue Demons hung with the Illini all game, but were never quite able to get over the hump.