Despite JT Toppin's 35-point performance, Illinois outlasted Texas Tech
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Andrej Stojakovic scored 23 points and blocked a potential tying 3-pointer in the final seconds as No. 14 Illinois defeated No. 11 Texas Tech 81-77 on Tuesday night.
Kylan Boswell had 22 points and three players — David Mirkovich, Keaton Wagler and Zvonimir Ivisic — each scored 11 for the Fighting Illini (3-0), who let a 13-point halftime lead slip away before rallying to win.
All-American and reigning Big 12 player of the year J.T. Toppin had 35 points and 11 rebounds for Texas Tech (2-1). It was his 33rd career double-double. LeJuan Watts scored 21 for the Red Raiders.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Texas Tech had an opportunity to tie the game after Watts sank two free throws with 12.5 seconds left to make it 80-77 following a flagrant foul on Boswell. But then Stojavokic blocked Christian Anderson’s 3-point try and Wagler hit a free throw to seal it.
The Red Raiders wiped out Illinois’ 45-32 halftime lead by making 12 straight shots to start the second half. Texas Tech moved in front 56-55 on a three-point play by Watts with 12:49 to go.
Illinois bounced back and took the lead for good 66-65 on a layup by Ivisic with 8:19 remaining.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Texas Tech jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but the Illini responded with an 11-point run — ignited by back-to-back 3s from Boswell — and took their biggest lead of the half when Stojakovic drove for a layup at the buzzer.
Illinois went 16 for 23 at the free-throw line, while Texas Tech was 3 of 4.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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