CHAMPAIGN — Matthew Mayer scored 16 points to lead four players in double figures as Illinois beat Nebraska 72-56 on Tuesday night at the State Farm Center.
Illinois (16-6, 7-4 Big Ten) has won seven of its last eight games, while Nebraska (10-13, 3-9) has lost four straight.
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Illinois pulled away with a 15-4 run for a 63-54 lead with 5:29 to play. Sencire Harris scored six points with a dunk during the stretch, and Coleman Hawkins had four points.
Mayer was 4 of 14 from the field but made three of the Illini’s five 3-pointers. Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 13 points, Jayden Epps had 12 and Hawkins added 10 points and eight rebounds. Harris had eight points.
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Sam Griesel scored 21 points on 7-of-17 shooting to lead Nebraska. The Cornhuskers shot 40% and turned it over 19 times.
The Cornhuskers opened the game on a 12-5 run, but Illinois led 38-37 at the break. The Illini forced three turnovers in the opening minutes of the second half and led 48-41.
The Cornhuskers answered with a pair of 3-pointers from Keisei Tominaga and one from C.J. Wilcher for their last lead at 50-48 with 12 minutes left.
Illinois plays at Iowa on Saturday. Nebraska hosts Penn State on Sunday.
