ILLINOIS 107, AUSTIN PEAY 66
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois connected of 14-of-25 three-point attempts, including 7-of-11 in the second half, as the Fighting Illini rolled past Austin Peay State University, 107-66, Friday night in preliminary round action of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational, played at the State Farm Center.

It was the second straight contest the Illini converted double-digit three pointers. They connected on 15-of-28 three pointers against Coppin State Sunday.

The three-point barrage was just part of an outstanding shooting night for Illinois. It shot 75 percent (24 of 32) from the floor in the second half, finishing the game at 40 of 67 (60 percent).

Illinois, now 3-0 on the season, began the game 2-of-6 from three-point range and then went 12 of 19 the rest of the way. Finding that range coincided with a huge run the Illini used to end the half.  After Ed Dyson hit a three pointer with 12:56 left in the half to cut the deficit to 14-13, Illinois ended the half outscoring the Govs 32-13 the rest of the way. And the three-point barrage began when 6-10, 250-pound center Nnanna Egwu stepped out behind the arc to nail his second three pointer of the young season. Illinois rained threes from that point on.

Illinois’ coach John Groce stated prior to the game his team’s emphasis on stopping the inside duo of Chris Horton and Chris Freeman, who entered the contest averaging more than 33 points per game combined. At halftime each had two points. Freeman bounced back in the second half to finish with 13 points but Horton, who ended with six points on 1-of-7 shooting, never emerged.

Five Illinois players scored in double figures, led by guard Rayvonte Rice and Malcolm Hill, each who finished with 16 points. The duo combined for 12-of-13 shooting, with Hill the only one of the duo to miss a shot. Kendrick Nunn came off the bench to score 14 points, including 4-of-4 behind the arc.

In addition to Freeman’s 13, Khalil Davis scored attained his first double-digit scoring effort with 12 points on 5-0f-7 shooting. He also led the Govs in rebounding with five. Freshman Josh Robinson offered relief from the bench with 11 points. Freeman also had five assists and two blocks for the Governors.

The Govs, who were 3-of-15 from three-point range in each of the previous two games, were a little better against Illinois, shooting 5-of-17 (29.4 percent). Overall, APSU shot just 24 of 56 (42.9 percent) from the floor—the Govs have shot less than 45 percent from the floor in all four games this season.

The Govs saving grace was at the free-throw line. APSU, which shot just two free throws in the opening half, finished an impressive 13 of 15 (86.7 percent).

LOUISIANA TECH 73, MOREHEAD STATE 66
RUSTON, La. - The Louisiana Tech men's basketball team limited Morehead State to 33 percent from the field on its way to a 73-64 victory on Friday evening at the Thomas Assembly Center. The game was part of a four-team Coaches vs. Cancer Classic round robin.

The Bulldogs, who play in Conference USA, improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 at home. The Eagles, who compete in the Ohio Valley Conference, slip to 1-3 overall and 0-3 on the road. The win was Louisiana Tech's first over Morehead State in six all-time meetings.

Morehead State connected on just 24-of-73 from the floor, including 10-of-38 (26 percent) in the first half. The Eagles knocked down only 6-of-20 (30 percent) from three-point range on the night.

Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, drilled 22-of-47 (47 percent), including 12-of-21 (57 percent) after intermission. The Bulldogs made 4-of-12 (33 percent) from long distance.

Morehead State was whistled for 28 fouls, while Louisiana Tech committed just 12. The differential led to 15 more free throws and 25 more free-throw attempts for the Bulldogs.

Sophomore Erik McCree led Louisiana Tech's balanced attack with 16 points on 8-of-10 from the foul line. Senior Raheem Appleby added 13 points for the Bulldogs, while freshman Xavian Stapleton contributed 11. LTU registered a 22-8 advantage in bench points.

Morehead State managed a 45-35 upper hand in rebounds and committed just 11 turnovers, but couldn't overcome its shooting numbers. Junior Billy Reader paced four Eagles in double figures with 17 points, while senior Angelo Warner added 15 points and nine rebounds.