Champaign, Ill. – A shorthanded Nebraska team rallied from a double-digit deficit to force a tie game early in the second half, but Illinois responded with an 11-1 run to regain control and defeat the Huskers 71-59 on Monday night at the State Farm Center.
Nebraska (7-20, 2-14 Big Ten Conference) trailed by six points at halftime and faced the same deficit three minutes into the second half when senior guard Haanif Cheatam made a free throw and junior guard Thorir Thornbjarnarson scored in the paint.
Illinois responded with a layup, but Thornbjarnarson made a 3-pointer and junior guard Jervay Green scored in transition on an assist from Cheatham to force a 46-46 tie with 15:12 remaining.