Illinois scrapes by Georgia Southern, 80-71
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois opened the season hoping an infusion of offensive talent would help turn a team that struggled to score last season into an offensive machine.
But over the final 20 minutes Friday against Georgia Southern, a familiar face made the difference for the Illini.
Senior Rayvonte Rice scored 24 points and had three assists to lead the Illini (1-0) past Georgia Southern, 80-71.
His 14 second-half points and a pair assists helped finally put away an Eagles team that, for most of the night, refused to go away.
"Ray Rice is a load," Georgia Southern coach Mark Byington said. "I was nervous coming into the game about how we're going to guard him. And after finishing the game, I still don't know how to guard him."
After opening up an early 11-point edge, the Illini (1-0) never led by double-figures again until the game's final minute.
Aaron Cosby, one of those new faces, added to the offense in his Illinois debut. The transfer from Seton Hall scored 16 points.
Georgia Southern gave the Illini trouble on the boards. The Eagles outrebounded Illinois 41-34 and used 19 second-chance points to stay close most of the night.
"I thought they just out-hustled us," Illini coach John Groce said.
But the Eagles sent Illinois to the free throw line again and again. The Illini were 27 of 34 from the line.
Jelani Hewitt led the Eagles with 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Trent Wiedeman added 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Early on, it looked like Illinois might breeze past the Eagles.
The Illini built an early 16-5 lead on a 9-0 run, capped by a midrange jump shot by Leron Black.
But Hewitt found his 3-point touch, and the Eagles stayed close most of the night. His 3-pointer with 6:30 left in the first half gave Georgia Southern the lead, 22-19.
Rice's final assist finally gave Illinois some breathing room.
He fed Cosby on the baseline, and Cosby buried a 3-pointer to put the Illini up 73-64 with 1:55 to play.
TIP-INS
Georgia Southern: Hewitt was the Eagles' leading scorer last season, averaging 19.2 a game. He was a 36 percent 3-point shooter, draining 85 from the 3-point line. And he was the biggest spark for the Eagles in their near-upset against Miami, scoring 27 in the 81-80 loss.
Illinois: Point guard Ahmad Starks, another of those new faces, is known as a shooter. But he started slow Friday. He was 0-4 from the field over the first 20 minutes and finished 2-11 with 10 points.
COSBY'S START
Cosby started slow in his first game in more than a year, scoring just four first-half points on 1 of 4 shooting. The junior sat out last season after transferring.
"I was a little anxious and a little hyped up to play. My first game in a long time," he said.
Groce appreciated the way he bounced back.
"I was really proud of Cos. Things didn't go great for him in the first half," Groce said. "But he didn't let it get to him."
UP NEXT
Georgia Southern hosts Trinity on Tuesday.
Illinois hosts Coppin State on Sunday.