Jordan Gainey scored a goal after a driving break and finished with a career-high 23 points, and No. 1 Tennessee extended its season-opening winning streak to 10 games with a 66-64 victory over Illinois on Saturday.
After Illinois tied the score at 64 on the second of two free throws Kaspars Jakucionis with 5.7 seconds left, Gainey took over. The Vols senior defenseman deflected the ball into the goal Igor Milićhe got the ball back and ran three-quarters of the way down the court and scored over Jakucionis as time expired.
Jordan Gainey’s coast-to-coast game-winner gives Tennessee a 66-64 victory over Illinois
Chaz Lanier scored 17 points for Tennessee before fouling out with 3:42 left. Milicic had 14 rebounds and a key steal and dunk with 1:32 left to give the Vols a 64-62 lead.
Tennessee won its first 10 games in a season for the first time in 25 years.
Jakucionis scored 22 points for Illinois (7-3). Tre White had 11 points and Kylan Boswell AND Will Riley 10 pieces added
Tennessee led 31-30 at halftime and had gone 20 of 28 at halftime. Illinois hit 30 of 36 free throw attempts.
To go
Tennessee: With a win, the Vols should remain in first place in the AP poll.
Illinois: The Illini failed to win a rebound for the first time this season, losing 42-37.
A key moment
Tennessee hadn’t trailed by more than three points this season before trailing 8-0 in the first half. The Vols recovered and took an 18-17 lead.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. #1 Tennessee Volunteers | FOX College Hoops
Key statistics
Tennessee is 9-1 in games where it is ranked No. 1 in coach Rick Barnes’ 10 seasons and is 10-2 all-time. Illinois dropped to 3-23 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams.
Next
Tennessee hosts Western Carolina on Tuesday. Illinois hosts Missouri on December 22 in St. Louis.
Associated Press reports.
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