Illinois 110, Rutgers 101 (3OT)

The RAC  |  Feb. 3, 2016  |  Attendance: 4,500

Recap  |  Box Score  |  Highlights

1. The triple overtime win was the longest Illinois game since a 108-107 triple overtime loss to Missouri on Dec. 22, 1993. 
2. It marked the third overtime game for the Fighting Illini in their last four games. Illinois is 2-1 is those games, win at Minnesota in one OT (76-71) on Jan. 23 and at Rutgers in 3OT (110-101) tonight, and falling at home to Ohio State in one OT (68-63) on Jan. 28. 
3. The three overtime games this season mark the first time Illinois has had three or more OT games in a season since playing four in 2007-08. 
4. The 110 points scored for the Illini are the most this season and most since putting up 114 against Coppin State on Nov. 16, 2014. 
5. Junior guard Malcolm Hill poured in 32 points and pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds for his fifth double-double this season and of his career. Hill also had career-highs in free throws made (17) and free throws attempted (20) and dished out five assists against the Scarlet Knights. 
6. Hill has scored in double-figures in every game this season and in 28 straight games dating back to 2014-15. He now has three games of 30 or more points this season. 
7. Freshman guard Jalen Coleman-Lands drained a career-high six three-pointers while scoring a career-high 26 points on the night, shattering his old high of 17 points at Providence on Nov. 18, 2015. 
8. Junior center Maverick Morgan poured in a career-high 20 points by hitting 10-of-13 field goals. His previous high was 15 at Michigan State on Jan. 7, 2016. 
9. Despite having an off shooting night (3-13 FG and 2-8 3FG), junior guard Kendrick Nunn still scored 10 points and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds for his second career double-double. Nunn continue his streak of hitting at least two three-pointers in every game this season. 
10. Playing in a homecoming game of sorts, Trenton, N.J., native Khalid Lewis had a solid game, producing season-highs in points (9) and assists (8) while turning the ball over just once in 46 minutes played against the Scarlet Knights. 
11. Regular starter Michael Finke missed Wednesday's game due an injury suffered in Sunday loss to Wisconsin. He joined Tracy Abrams, Leron Black and Mike Thorne Jr., all projected starters, as players out due to injury. 
12. With Finke out for tonight's game, Coach Groce use his 13th different starting lineup combinatin of the season – G Khalid Lewis, G Jalen Coleman-Lands, G Kendrick Nunn, G Malcolm Hill and C Maverick Morgan.
13. All five Illini starters played career-high minutes on Wednesday night – Hill (49), Lewis (46), Coleman-Lands (45), Nunn (45) and Morgan (43). 
14. The Fighting Illini took care of the ball well Wednesday night, turning the ball over only 11 times in 55 minutes while forcing 19 Rutgers turnovers. Illinois turned that into a 27-10 advantage in points off turnovers. 
15. Illinois got it done at the charity stripe, hitting 30-of-34 free throws (88.2 percent) against Rutgers. Hill led the way, hitting 17-of-20 from the stripe, including 10-of-10 in overtime.