Canada’s Will Riley had Illinois and Kentucky on his checklist of finalists when it got here time to make a university resolution final summer time.
The native of Kitchener, Ont. selected the Combating Illini, and now he’ll get to face the varsity he took a go on at March Insanity.
The Canadian freshman caught fireplace within the second half as sixth-seeded Illinois beat No. 11 Xavier 86-73 on Friday in Milwaukee.
It units up a battle in opposition to No. 3 Kentucky within the Midwest Area on Sunday.
Riley made the final eight pictures he took after lacking his first 4 and completed with a game-high 22 factors in opposition to Xavier.
The CBS broadcast confirmed a shot of his mom, Tracy, in a Crew Canada jersey cheering as her son was interviewed after the buzzer.
In the meantime, Kasparas Jakucionis completed one rebound shy of a triple-double and Illinois was excellent from the foul line within the win.
Jakucionis had 16 factors, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. Tomislav Ivisic added 20 factors and 10 rebounds. Kylan Boswell scored 15 factors.
Illinois led all through the final 33 1/2 minutes and went 18 of 18 from the free throw line and 12 of 30 from 3-point vary. The Illini additionally outrebounded Xavier 45-25.
Ivisic, a 7-foot-1 centre from Croatia, went 4 of 9 from 3-point vary. His 4 3-pointers have been probably the most by a 7-footer in an NCAA Match recreation.
Dailyn Swain had a career-high 27 factors to associate with eight rebounds for Xavier (22-12). Ryan Conwell and Dayvion McKnight added 12 factors apiece.
Xavier trailed 40-37 within the opening minute of the second half when Riley blocked Conwell’s driving layup try. Tre White sank a 3-pointer on lllinois’ ensuing possession to start out an 8-0 run. Jakucionis capped the spurt by changing a three-point play with 18:16 left to provide the Illini the primary double-digit lead.
Two nights after rallying from 13 factors right down to beat Texas within the First 4, Xavier couldn’t come all the way in which again from a double-digit deficit this time.
Xavier did get the margin down to 6 on a few events with about quarter-hour left, however Illinois surged once more and finally led by as many as 17. Xavier obtained the lead right down to 76-68 with 4:04 left, however Riley answered with a 3-pointer.
Xavier: Zach Freemantle, Xavier’s main scorer, struggled in opposition to Illinois’ measurement. Freemantle entered the evening averaging 17.2 factors and seven rebounds. The sixth-year senior shot 2 of 9 and had 5 factors and three rebounds.
Illinois: If Jakucionis had pulled down one rebound, Illinois would have produced a triple-double within the NCAA Match for a second straight yr. Marcus Domask had the tenth triple-double in NCAA Match historical past final season with 12 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a first-round victory over Morehead State.
Illinois will search to advance past the primary weekend of March Insanity for a second straight yr. The Illini reached a regional ultimate final season earlier than shedding 77-52 to eventual nationwide champion UConn.
