Hawkins, Illini put clamps on Rutgers
Coleman Hawkins scored 18 points and Illinois held No. 24 Rutgers scoreless for more than 10 minutes in the second half, rallying for a 69-60 win Saturday in Champaign.
The Illini (17-7, 8-5 Big Ten) trailed 47-41 with 14½ minutes left before Hawkins’ three-pointer started a 19-0 run. Rutgers (16-9, 8-6) missed 15 consecutive shots during its drought.
Hawkins hit four consecutive shots — including a three-pointer — and gave the Illini the lead for good at 48-47. The Illini have won three straight against ranked opponents.
Hawkins also had eight rebounds. Dain Dainja and Terrence Shannon Jr. each added 15 points for the Illini.
Illini coach Brad Underwood said forward RJ Melendez did not play due to a suspension stemming from his violation of team rules. Guard Luke Goode made his season debut after missing four months with a foot fracture he sustained in a preseason scrimmage. He played five minutes and missed his only shot.
◆ Jalen Jackson had 21 points and four steals, but UIC (10-17, 2-14 Missouri Valley) lost 98-71 to Belmont (18-9, 11-5) in Nashville.
◆ Ben Schwieger scored 17 points but visiting Loyola (8-16, 2-10 Atlantic 10) fell 74-71 to Richmond (13-13, 6-7).
◆ Virginia Tech (15-10, 5-9 ACC) made 10 consecutive shots in the second half and held on to win 93-87 over Notre Dame in South Bend. Nate Laszewski scored 30 points to lead the Irish (10-15, 2-12).
◆ Trayce Jackson-Davis had 28 points and 11 rebounds, Jalen Hood-Schifino scored 21 points and No. 18 Indiana (18-7, 9-5 Big Ten) held on for a 62-61 road win over Michigan (14-11, 8-6). Wolverines freshman Jett Howard was short on a three-pointer just before the buzzer.
◆ Hakim Hart scored 15 of his seasonhigh 23 points in the second half and Maryland (17-8, 8-6) pulled away from Penn State (14-11, 5-9) late to earn a 74-68 win and remain undefeated at home in Big Ten play.
◆ Keisei Tominaga scored 22 points and keyed a Nebraska comeback that erased a 17-point second-half deficit as the Cornhuskers (12-14, 5-10 Big Ten) earned a 73-63 win in overtime over Wisconsin (14-10, 6-8).
◆ St. John’s junior guard Andre Curbelo, a transfer from Illinois, was on the bench but not in uniform for the Red Storm’s 73-68 win over Providence. Before the game, St. John’s said Curbelo wouldn’t play and that it was a coach’s decision. Coach Mike Anderson would not elaborate postgame or say whether Curbelo will play Tuesday against DePaul.
◆ Elijah Weaver scored 25 points to lead Chicago State (9-18) to a 91-67 win over NAIA member St. Xavier.