CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Eight games in 23 days down the stretch for Illinois.
And they started it off on the right foot.
After a slow start against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon, the Illini turned it up on the jets in the second half and held off the No. 24 Scarlet Knights, 69-60.
Down by 4 at halftime, the game completely turned around after a hot streak from the Illini and a complete collapse by Rutgers.
Illinois (17-7, 8-5 Big Ten) went on a 19-0 run over a 10-minute stretch midway through the second half. And Rutgers couldn’t buy a bucket, missing 15 consecutive shots.