NCAA News Wire
Top 25 roundup: Illinois stuns No. 11 Maryland
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Playing without leading scorer and rebounder Rayvonte Rice, Illinois used a career-best game from sophomore guard Malcolm Hill to hand 11th-ranked Maryland its first Big Ten Conference loss.
Hill scored 10 of his 28 points in the first 6:21 of the second half, keying a 20-3 run that led the Fighting Illini to a 64-57 upset of the Terrapins Wednesday night at the State Farm Center.
Center Nnanna Egwu added 11 points and nine rebounds for Illinois (11-5, 1-2), while freshman guard Jaylon Tate contributed 10 points as the Illini made up for the absence of the 6-foot-4 Rice.
Rice, who averages 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, broke his left hand in practice Monday. Rice was scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday, but there is no timetable for his return.
The 6-foot-6 Hill entered the game averaging 13.1 points. His previous career high was 20 points, set on Dec. 9 in a loss to Villanova at Madison Square Garden.
Freshman guard Melo Trimble scored 17 points and forward Jake Layman tallied 10 to lead Maryland (14-2, 2-1), which was denied the best start in school history.
Kansas 56, Baylor 55
WACO, Texas — The 12th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks have won every conference-opener since the Big 12 began in the 1996-97 season, but they had to fight to keep that streak alive against No. 21 Baylor.
Kansas guard Wayne Selden scored seven points in the final 3:02 and Kansas came up with the key stop it needed it.
Baylor guard Kenny Chery made two free throws with 5.1 seconds left to cut the Kansas lead to one. Kansas guard Frank Mason then missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Baylor a desperation attempt with 3.9 seconds left. However, guard Lester Medford, who failed to get off a shot before time expired.
Chery led Baylor with 21 points and 4-of-7 3-point shooting.
Duke 73, Wake Forest 65
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Freshman forward Justise Winslow scored a season-best 20 points, and second-ranked Duke fought off Wake Forest in the second half at Lawrence Joel Coliseum.
Duke (14-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) remained one of three unbeaten teams in the country, but the Blue Devils trailed 56-55 with less than five minutes left.
Guard Quinn Cook’s three-point play with 4:52 regained the lead for Duke. Blue Devils guard Matt Jones drained a 3-pointer and guard Tyus Jones converted a three-point play, giving Duke a 67-59 edge with 1:36 remaining.
Cook and center Jahlil Okafor finished with 12 points apiece.
The Demon Deacons fell to 8-8, 0-3 in the ACC.
Virginia 61, North Carolina State 51
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Third-ranked Virginia overcame a second-half deficit to win its Atlantic Coast Conference game at John Paul Jones Arena.
The Wolfpack took a 37-36 lead with 14:35 to play before the Cavaliers showed why they are one of three remaining unbeaten teams in the country.
Virginia (14-0, 2-0 ACC) used a 15-5 spurt over the next 11 minutes to take a 51-42 advantage, and North Carolina State (11-5, 2-1) was unable to recover.
Guard Justin Anderson led Virginia with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Louisville 58, Clemson 52
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Senior guard Chris Jones scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half to rescue fifth-ranked Louisville for a second consecutive game.
Jones, who also scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half of Sunday’s comeback win at Wake Forest, scored six of Louisville’s final eight points against Clemson in the Cardinals’ Atlantic Coast Conference home opener.
Louisville (14-1, 2-0 ACC) hit just six of 27 shots from the field in the first half and trailed 22-18 at the break before rallying with a 17-0 burst to begin the second half.
Clemson (8-6, 0-2) was led by Forward Jaron Blossomgame with 15 points.
Xavier 69, Seton Hall 58
CINCINNATI — Senior guard Dee Davis scored 14 points and freshman forward Trevon Bluiett added 13, lifting Xavier past 19th-ranked Seton Hall at sold-out Cintas Center.
Xavier (11-4, 2-1 Big East ), coming off a disappointing loss at DePaul, defeated its second straight ranked opponent at home, having also defeated Georgetown on
