This was a closer game than the score shows. Illinois started this game off hot going up 9-2 a couple of minutes into the game. Arizona had an answer, though. They would go on a run and take the lead back from the Illini 18-17. It was a back and forth game for the rest of the first half.
Arizona would get it up to a five-point lead but then the Illini would take the lead back. Illinois actually surged to a four-point lead with 2:24 left in the half, but Arizona came back and hit a three-point shot at the buzzer to go up 39-38 heading into the halftime locker room.