No. 20 Illini uses 3-pointers to beat Gonzaga

SEATTLE — Demetri McCamey had 11 points and seven assists, and No. 20 Illinois was blistering from beyond the arc in a 73-61 defeat of Gonzaga on Saturday.

Mike Tisdale hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the second half to extend a 34-28 lead, and the Illini (8-1) went on a 14-3 run to take a 62-44 advantage.

Ten of the Illini's first 11 baskets in the second half came from beyond the 3-point line, and they finished 52 percent from beyond the arc for the game.

Elias Harris finished with 12 points, all in the first half, to lead Gonzaga. Stephen Gray added 10 points.

Robert Sacre provided the only scoring threat for the Bulldogs (4-3) during the Illini's big second-half run. He scored nine straight points to help Gonzaga stay in the game.

Mike Davis scored in the lane to break a streak of six straight Illinois 3-pointers and give the Illini a 67-47 edge. Gonzaga answered with a 10-0 run, but D.J. Richardson scored on a floater in the lane and Illinois was able to grind out the remaining minutes for the victory.

Richardson and Tisdale each finished with 15 points to lead the way for Illinois.

Elias Harris checked into the game at the 15:25 mark of the first half after missing a game against Eastern Washington with an Achilles' injury. He immediately made an impact, driving the lane and getting a quick basket to knot the game at 10-10.

The Bulldogs were 0 for 8 from 3-point range in the first half and shot just 19 percent from beyond the arc for the game.