Alabama Outlasts Illinois in Chicago To Earn Its 2nd Win Over High 10 Opponent

[ad_1] Labaron Philon scored 24 factors, and No. 11 Alabama beat eighth-ranked Illinois 90-86 on the United Middle on Wednesday evening.

Philon made three 3-pointers and had 5 assists. Taylor Bol Bowen scored 12 and Aden Holloway completed with 11 factors, serving to the Crimson Tide (3-1) squeeze out a good win of their third straight recreation in opposition to a top-10 staff. They bounced again from a loss to Purdue that got here on the heels of a victory over St. John’s at Madison Sq. Backyard, although they certain acquired all they may deal with on this one.

Andrej Stojakovic led Illinois (4-1) with 26 factors, and Kylan Boswell had 22.

Alabama was clinging to a 79-76 lead when Philon pulled up for a 3 with 1:15 remaining, however Illinois stayed in it, with Boswell responding with a three-point play.

After Philon made a jumper within the paint, Boswell broke for a layup that reduce it to 84-81 with 39 seconds remaining. Alabama’s Amari Allen acquired trapped on the inbounds, resulting in a timeout, after which hit 1 of two free throws to make it a four-point recreation with 27 seconds left.

It was 85-82 with 12 seconds remaining when Keitenn Bristow made two free throws for Alabama. Ben Humrichous nailed a 3 for Illinois with eight seconds left, however the Crimson Tide held on. Houston Mallette sealed the win with two foul pictures within the remaining seconds.

The Illini, who performed at the least one regular-season recreation on the United Middle from 1994 by means of 2018, have been making their first look on the enviornment for the reason that 2023 Massive Ten Event. They acquired the Bulls therapy throughout pregame introductions, with "Sirius" by the Alan Parsons Venture blasting by means of the sector.

The Illini had the group roaring halfway by means of the half when Humrichous blocked a layup by Philon and Stojakovic, the son of former Sacramento Kings star Peja Stojakovic, threw down a thunderous dunk on the break.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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