Illinois Streaks Past Nevada in a Big Way

Luther Head’s pass was perfect. James Augustine caught it in stride and dunked the ball.

That was the beginning of a big day for the Illinois big men. Augustine scored a career-high 23 points, leading the top-seeded Illini to a 71-59 victory over ninth-seeded Nevada on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Nick Fazekas and Kevinn Pinkney couldn’t stop Augustine, a 6-foot-10 forward, inside. He scored 17 points in the first half, including 11 of the last 13 to give the Illini (34-1) a 34-27 lead at halftime.

The Illini broke the game open at the start of the second half, sparked by Augustine’s block and steal on consecutive Nevada possessions.

“Everything was bouncing my way,” Augustine said. “I know Fazekas is a big prospect and Pinkney is a key to their game, so I wanted to prove something.”

Guards Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Head combined for 31 points, but most came late in the game as the big guys took center stage. Williams scored five points on free throws down the stretch.

The Illini reached the regional semifinals for second consecutive season and the fourth time in the last five. They will play 12th-seeded Wisconsin Milwaukee, an 83-75 winner over Boston College, Thursday in the Chicago Regional at Rosemont, Ill.

As they did in their first-round win over Fairleigh Dickinson, the Illini recovered from a sloppy first half in which they committed 10 turnovers. Fazekas scored the first basket after the break and the Wolf Pack (25-7) cut the deficit to 34-29, but it wouldn’t get that close again.

Williams finished with 15 points and 10 assists. Head had 14 points and Brown, who left in the first half because of a cramp, scored only two points but had four rebounds and five assists.

The Illini used a trapping defense to shut down Fazekas’ lane to the basket. Fazekas, the Wolf Pack’s top scorer this season, was five for 20 from the field and scored 11 points.

Pinkney led the Wolf Pack with 22 points and 11 rebounds.