Rice's 3-pointer gives Illini 62-59 win over Missouri
ST. LOUIS - Rayvonte Rice hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the last of his 19 points, giving Illinois a 62-59 victory over Missouri in the annual Braggin' Rights game on Saturday.
Rice also had seven rebounds and three assists and Illinois (9-3) had a tougher time than expected against Missouri (5-6), which is rebuilding under new coach Kim Anderson. Ahmad Starks added 13 points and Malcolm Hil had 10.
After Wesley Clark's jumper from the key tied it with 17.8 seconds remaining, Illinois left the game in Rice's hands. He dribbled for several seconds before stepping up the key and drilling a fade-away shot over defenders Keith Shamburger and Johnathan Williams III.
Williams had 15 points and eight rebounds for Missouri. Clark added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists and also tied it at 55 with 4:40 to go.
Illinois was unranked for the pre-Christmas rivalry game for the second straight season after losing three of five, although two of the setbacks were to No. 15 Miami and No. 7 Villanova.
It was just the eighth time in 34 games in the series with neither team ranked.
Jakeenan Gant scored off an inbounds play with 3:34 left to give Missouri its last lead at 57-55. The Tigers didn't score again until Clark tied it in the final seconds.
Illinois missed its first seven 3-point attempts but made two of its last three late in the half, with Starks connecting with 4.7 seconds left for a 32-30 lead.
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TIP-INS
Illinois: The Fighting Illini prevailed despite going just 4 for 18 from 3-point range. Ahmad Starks topped double figures for the first time in nine games, though he was just 1 for 7 on 3-pointers. He entered averaging 7.3 points.
Missouri: Keith Shamburger scored all five of his first-half points in the final 1:36 including two free throws after a technical foul. He's 29 for 32 at the line.
UP NEXT
Illinois: Hosts Kennesaw State next Saturday.
Missouri: Faces Oklahoma State in Kansas City Dec. 30.
IN THE HOUSE
Usually the crowd is evenly split, half clad in orange and the other half in yellow. This year it was closer to 60-40 Illinois. ... Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon were among the luminaries in the crowd.