Illinois used a strong second half to put away Boise State 71-56 to send the Illini into an NIT quarterfinal game against UCF on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Central in Orlando. Tracy Abrams led the Illini with 18 points while Malcolm Hill chipped in 13 points and Leron Black registered 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Illinois State’s historic men’s basketball season has ended as Central Florida overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Redbirds 63-62 in the second round of the NIT. MiKyle McIntosh made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left to give the Redbirds a lead, but UCF converted two free throws of their own with 1.3 seconds left for the victory. Illinois State ends at 28-7, a program record for wins in a season.
In high school softball, East Peoria defeated Pontiac 8-2 and Central Catholic topped El Paso-Gridley 7-0.
The Blackhawks host the Vancouver Canucks tonight while the Blues visit the Colorado Avalanche.
The Bulls travel north of the border to visit the Toronto Raptors.
The State Farm Holiday Classic has announced its 2017 field. The 64-team high school basketball tournament will feature a loaded girls field with state champions Annawan and Morton, runners-up Central Catholic and Rochester and fourth-place finisher Camp Point Central/Augusta Southeastern. On the boys side, third-place state finisher Kankakee Bishop McNamara and newcomers Canton and Winnebago are in the bracket.
