No. 2 Illinois Defeats Penn

Frank Williams scored 22 points to lead No. 2 Illinois to a 78-71 victory over Pennsylvania on Thursday night in the second round of the Las Vegas Tournament.

The Illini (3-0) trailed, 45-34, at halftime and didn’t take the lead until midway through the second half.

Nick Smith and Robert Archibald each added 11 points and Brian Cook had 10 for Illinois, which shot 71% from the floor in the second half. Damir Krupalija had 11 rebounds as the Illini outrebounded the Quakers, 34-26.

Ugonna Onyekwe led Penn (1-1) with 28 points, including four three-point baskets. Koko Archibong, a former Pasadena Poly High standout, added 12 points.

Onyekwe had 19 points on seven-of-10 shooting in the first half, while Illinois was eight of 25. Archibald was cold, missing three shots under the basket.

Penn also made seven of 13 three-pointers in the first half.

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Texas 78, Oregon State 68--Chris Owens scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half to lead the Longhorns to a victory over the Beavers in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout at Anchorage.

Owens hit a three-pointer from the top of the key with just under 11 minutes left to give Texas a 49-47 lead. The Longhorns (1-1) never trailed again.

Philip Ricci led Oregon State (1-1) with 15 points.