Dave Riggert – Page 336 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Northwest Missouri State’s Pitts and McCollum earn top MIAA honors

Posted on February 27, 2017February 27, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University junior Justin Pitts was named the MIAA Player of the Year for the second-straight season and head coach Ben McCollum earned Coach of the Year honors for the third-straight season. Senior Zach Schneider earned second team honors while Chris-Ebou Ndow garnered third team accolades and was also named to the All-Defensive team. Seniors Anthony Woods and D’Vante Mosby were named honorable mention performers.

Pitts becomes the first player in Northwest history to ever be named MIAA Player of the Year twice. He is also the first player to earn three-straight first team All-MIAA nods since 1937. This year, Pitts is averaging 19.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. He has scored in double figures 25 times and surpassed 20 or more points 14 times. He now ranks fifth in Northwest history with 1,686 points and if fourth all time in made field goals with 613 and in made three point field goals with 191.

2016-17 marks the third-straight season McCollum has garnered the league’s Coach of the Year honor and the fourth in his career at Northwest, winning back in 2012. He has led the Bearcats to six-straight 20+ win seasons, one of just seven schools in Division II to accomplish that feat. The 26 wins this season is the second most in his tenure, only one behind the 27 games the team won last season.

Schneider is now the Northwest and MIAA career leader in three-point field goals made with 348. This season, he has started all 27 games and is averaging 10.3 points per game. He has hit 86-of-175 (49.1 percent) of his long range attempts this year and is averaging 34.6 minutes per game. In 27 games, he has hit at least one three pointer in 25 contests and has at least two on 21 occasions.

Ndow becomes the first Bearcat to be named to the All-Defensive team since Matt Wallace following the 2014-15 season. In 24 games, Ndow has averaged 13.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. This year, he has tallied 21 steals and nine blocked shots on the defensive end. Offensively, Ndow is shooting an even 50 percent from the field (111-222) and has hit a career-high 39 three pointers.

Woods is averaging a career-best 8.2 points per game during his senior year. Appearing in 24 games, Woods has racked up a career-best 72 assists with 72 rebounds, 14 steals and two blocked shots. He is shooting 54.7 percent from the field (76-139) and has hit 6-of-11 three pointers. Woods has reached double figures nine times on the year.

Mosby has appeared in all 27 games this season and is averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. This year, he has hit 54.9 percent of his field goal attempts (84-153), scoring in double figures 11 times. Mosby has dished off 29 assists, tallied 25 steals and blocked 10 shots. Earlier this year, he surpassed 1,000 points and 700 rebounds for his career.

Player of the Year: Justin Pitts, G, Jr., NW
Defensive Player of the Year: Brady Skeens, F, Jr., WU
Freshman of the Year: Elyjah Clark, F, Fr., MSSU
Coach of the Year: Ben McCollum, NW

All-MIAA First Team
Justin Pitts, G, So., NW**[r3]
Rob Davis, G, Jr., FHSU[r2]
Anthony Virdure, G, Sr., LU
Brandy Skeens, F, Jr., WU Trey Lansman, C, Jr., UNK
**Unanimous Selection
[r2] Two time repeat First Team Selection
[r3] Three time repeat First Team Selection

All-MIAA Second Team
Spencer Reaves, G, Jr., UCM
CJ Carr, G, Jr., MSSU
Zach Schneider, F, Sr., NW
Chandler Diekvoss, F, So., LWU
Corbin Byford, F, Sr., UCO

All-MIAA Third Team
Jaylon Smith, G, Sr., LU
Chris-Ebou Ndow, G, Jr., NW
Brandon Hall, G, So., ESU
Kyle Wolfe, F, Sr., UCM
Logan Hovey, F, Jr., SBU

All-Defensive Team
Brady Skeens, F, Jr., WU
Marquiez Lawrence, F, Sr., UCM
JaQuan Smith, F, Sr, FHSU
Bakari Triggs, G, Jr., LWU
Chris-Ebou Ndow, G, Jr., NW

Honorable Mention All-MIAA
Marquiez Lawrence, UCM; Jake Hammond, UCO; Josh Holiday, UCO; Josh Pederson, ESU; JaQuan Smith, FHSU; Hadley Gillium, FHSU; Jackson Price, LWU; Elyjah Clark, MSSU; JJ Cratit, MSSU; Lawrence Brown, MSSU; Cole Clearman, MWSU; Yashua Trent, UNK; Isaiah MaKay, UNK; Ty Daneilson, UNK; Montre Williams, NSU; Anthony Woods, NW; D’Vante Mosby, NW; Javion Blake, WU; Brian Patterson, SBU

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU’s Clearman earns All-MIAA honorable mention honors

Posted on February 27, 2017February 27, 2017

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western men’s basketball junior guard Cole Clearman was named honorable mention All-MIAA as the teams were released Monday.

Clearman led the Griffons with a career-high 14.8 points per game. He also led the team in free throw percentage (88.2), assists (87), three-point field goals (77) and minutes played (1,014). The junior from Bettendorf, Iowa finished third in the MIAA, shooting 41.3 percent from three-point range and fourth in the conference with 2.7 made threes per game. He also led the MIAA, averaging 36.1 minutes per game.

The guard was the lone Griffon named All-MIAA, and earned the distinction for the first time in his career. Clearman matched his career high with 25 points on Nov. 21 against Lake Superior State. He recorded career-highs this season in rebounds (11 vs. Fort Hays State), assists (8 vs. Maryville), steals (4, twice), field goals made (9 vs. Maryville) and free throws made (8 vs. Baker).

— MWSU Athletics —

KU women lose by 19 at West Virginia

Posted on February 27, 2017February 27, 2017

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – A slow start offensively plagued Kansas women’s basketball in its regular-season finale, as West Virginia capitalized on the cold-shooting Jayhawks’ first half to sweep the season series with a 73-54 victory on Monday night inside WVU Coliseum.

While the Jayhawks (8-21, 2-16 Big 12) began the game slow offensively, it was a tale of two halves for Kansas. KU outscored West Virginia (20-10, 8-10 Big 12) in the second half, 24-18, but the deficit from the opening 20 minutes was too much for the Jayhawks to mount a come-from-behind victory in their final game of the regular season.

For the 11th time in Big 12 Conference action, redshirt junior Jessica Washington led all scorers after an 18-point performance in Morgantown. Washington netted 14 of her 18 points in the second half and finished the game shooting 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from the field. She also grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists. Senior forward Sydney Umeri added eight points, while sophomore guard Jayde Christopher contributed seven points.

Sophomore guard Tynice Martin led a quartet of Mountaineers in double figures with 17 points, while also recorded six boards. Junior forward Teana Muldrow finished just behind Martin in scoring with 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double. Junior forward Kristina King and junior guard Chania Ray rounded out the double-digit scorers with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

A defensive battle from the start, it took both teams a few possessions to get on the scoreboard, but Christopher ended the scoreless streak with a free throw. WVU would then go on a 10-3 run to take an early advantage, 10-4, with five minutes to play in the first quarter. Coming out the media timeout, West Virginia extended its lead with five unanswered points before senior forward Caelynn Manning-Allen broke up the run with a layup. The Mountaineers beat the buzzer with a last-second layup and ended the first quarter with a 24-8 lead over the Jayhawks.

KU opened the game shooting just 14 percent from the field and scored only eight points in the first 10 minutes of the game. West Virginia’s offense found its groove in the first 10 minutes and concluded the period shooting 67 percent from the floor, making 10 of its 15 attempts.

Through the first five minutes of the second quarter, the Mountaineers outscored Kansas, 6-2, as both teams worked to find some momentum on the offensive side of the court. Despite WVU being without top defender, senior forward Lanay Montgomery due to foul trouble, the Jayhawks were unable to capitalize offensively and close the scoring gap. Senior guard Timeka O’Neal sank a triple coming out of the second media timeout, but WVU had an answer for each attempt KU made to take the momentum. West Virginia headed into the locker room at halftime with a 41-18 advantage.

Towards the end of the second period, Kansas’ offense heated up scoring eight points in the final minutes of the half. Manning-Allen led the Jayhawks with five points, while Washington contributed four points. KU was held to just six field goals in the first half and connected on 21 percent of its attempts. Defensively, the Jayhawks forced seven turnovers in the opening 20 minutes and were able to score nine points off of those turnovers. The Mountaineers won the battle off the glass, outrebounding the Jayhawks 25-13, proving to be the difference on defense.

To start the second half, Kansas and West Virginia traded buckets back-and-forth for the first four possessions each before the Mountaineers went on a 6-0 run to put WVU up, 53-26, with 4:14 left to play in the third period. Kansas ended its three minute scoring drought with a trip to the charity stripe for Washington. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native reached the double-figure scoring plateau for the 22nd time this season. Despite keeping the third quarter closer, West Virginia outscored the Jayhawks by one, 21-20, and took a 62-38 lead into the final quarter.

Much like the period before, Kansas and West Virginia traded buckets to start the fourth quarter. Washington sparked a 7-0 run for the Jayhawks over nearly four minutes, cutting WVU’s advantage, 70-51, with just under two minutes to play. Kansas outscored the Mountaineers, 16-11, in the final 10 minutes, but the deficit was too much to overcome in the second half and KU fell to West Virginia, 73-54, on the road.

UP NEXT
Kansas heads to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for the 2017 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship.

— KU Athletics —

Gawley’s ninth inning HR completes Griffon baseball’s comeback at Washburn

Posted on February 26, 2017

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Western baseball team scored one run in top of the eighth inning and added one more in the top of the ninth to rally past Washburn 2-1 Sunday afternoon in Topeka.

The Griffons have won the first two games of the series as they improve to 5-7 and 2-0 in the MIAA. The Ichabods fall to 8-5 and 0-2 in league play.

NOTABLES
– Nick Gawley hit a game winning solo home run in the top of the ninth inning.

– Missouri Western outhit Washburn 13-11.

– Griffon pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and issued only two walks.

– Washburn scored a run in the third inning but left two runners stranded.

– MWSU loaded the bases in the top of the third inning but couldn’t get a run across.

TOP PERFORMERS
– Nate Hunter pitched six innings, gave up one run on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

– Connor Simpson went 2-for-4 and drove in the tying run in the top of the eighth inning.

– Jared Lloyd picked up the win out of the bullpen as he threw 1 2/3 innings and struck out two of the six batters he faced.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western goes the series sweep in Topeka on Monday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Michaelis, Cunningham carry No. 24 Mizzou women past Tide 65-56

Posted on February 26, 2017

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Sierra Michaelis scored 22 points and Sophie Cunningham had 20, combing for 18 of Missouri’s 23 fourth-quarter points to rally the No. 24 Tigers to a 65-56 win over Alabama in the regular-season finale on Sunday.

Michaelis hit a 3-pointer and Cunningham scored the next five to close out the third quarter, cutting Missouri’s deficit to 44-42. Amber Smith tied the game eight seconds into the fourth quarter and Cunningham put the Tigers ahead for good with a 3 to cap the 13-0 run.

Lindsey Cunningham had a free throw and Smith another bucket but in the final five minutes, Michaelis had two 3s and eight points and Sophie Cunningham a 3 and a pair of free throws.

Missouri (21-9, 11-5 SEC), won its fifth straight and 10 of 12, and reached 11 league wins for the first time since 1990 with back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time 30 years.

Quanetria Bolton had 13 points and Jordan Lewis 12 for Alabama (17-12, 5-11).

— Associated Press —

Carlos Carson to be inducted into Chiefs Hall of Fame

Posted on February 26, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt announced on Sunday that former wide receiver Carlos Carson will be the organization’s 2017 inductee into the Chiefs Hall of Fame. Carson is the 47th individual and 43rd player to earn this coveted honor, which will be celebrated this evening at the 47th annual 101 Awards banquet in downtown Kansas City. The official enshrinement ceremony in to the Chiefs Hall of Fame will be held during Chiefs Alumni Weekend at Arrowhead Stadium this fall.

“It is my pleasure to announce that Carlos Carson will be inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame this fall,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “Carlos was a model of consistency in the 1980’s and over the course of a decade in the National Football League, he established himself as one of the best receivers in Chiefs history. Throughout his career, Carlos represented the Chiefs and the Kansas City community with pride, and he continues to do so as an active member of the Kansas City Ambassadors. We look forward to adding his name to the Ring of Honor during Alumni Weekend later this year.”

Carson spent 10 years on Kansas City’s roster (1980-89) playing under Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach Marv Levy (1980-82) as well as head coaches John Mackovic (1983-86), Frank Gansz (1987-88) and Chiefs Hall of Fame Coach Marty Shottenheimer (1989). While with the Chiefs, he saw action in 120 games (91 starts). He recorded 6,360 receiving yards (fifth most in team history), 352 career receptions and 33 total touchdowns during his tenure in Kansas City. Carson had his best season in 1983, where he started all 16 games and recorded career-highs in receiving yards (1,351), receptions (80) and touchdowns (7). His 1,351 receiving yards fell just shy of Philadelphia WR Mike Quick (1,409) for most receiving yards that season in the NFL. Following his time in Kansas City, the two-time Pro Bowler (1983, 1987) finished out his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Carson was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round (114th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft after three successful seasons at Louisiana State University (1977-79). In his first-career start against Rice on September 24, 1977, he connected with QB Steve Ensminger for the second-longest pass in school history at 82 yards. He went on to record five receiving touchdowns that game, setting a school record that stands to this day. He ranks tied for first in most total touchdowns in a game alongside RB Kevin Faulk (1997) and RB Leonard Fournette (2015). As a Tiger, he recorded 89 receptions, 1,728 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, while earning a degree in physical education.

At the time of his retirement, Carson held a Chiefs record for most seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards with three (1983-84, ’87) only to be surpassed by TE Tony Gonzalez, who had four (2000, 2004, 2007-08). Carson continues to hold the record for most receiving yards (2,429) in consecutive seasons (1983-84). His 352 career receptions rank sixth all-time in Chiefs history among wide receivers and eighth among all positions. In 1983, he logged a career-high 80 receptions, setting a Chiefs record for most receptions in a single season. That record held for 17 seasons and still ranks in the top-10 all-time among all players in franchise history.

Following the 1989 season, Carson and his wife, Wilma, dedicated their time to McDonald’s franchises throughout the greater Kansas City area. The two reside in Leawood, Kansas. In his leisure time Carson serves the community through Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Kansas City Ambassador program.

— Chiefs Press Release —

Northwest baseball gets swept by Northeastern State

Posted on February 26, 2017

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Northeastern State, 6-3,on Sunday at Rousey Field in Tahlequah, Okla.

– The Bearcats are now 8-5 on the year and 0-3 in conference while the RiverHawks improve to 8-3 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play.

– Ozzie Adams went 3-for-4 on the day with a walk.

Key Northwest Statistics
– The Bearcats scored two runs in the third and one in the eighth. Northeastern State got one run in the first, three in the fifth, one in the sixth and one in the eighth.

– Northwest had three runs on six hits while the RiverHawks had six runs on eight hits. Both teams committed three errors each.

– Alixon Herrera was 1-for-5 on the day with an RBI in the third.

– Luke Hassman was 1-for-3 with a homerun in the third.

– Landon Figg went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

– Logan Rycraft and Kolby Greenslade each scored runs after reached on walks

– Quintin Van Ackeren, Jimmy McElwain and Austin Battaglia each worked scoreless innings in relief. Logan Moose pitched the fourth inning, allowing just one run.

Key Northwest Innings
– Hassman led off the third with a home run to left center. Rycraft was then able to reach on an error by the shortstop. A couple batters later, Rycraft came around to score on a Herrera single.

– In th eighth, Greenslade led off the inning with a walk and went to third after Kevin Handzlik reached safely on an error by the third baseman. A Figg sacrifice fly would score Greenslade in the next at bat.

Up Next
-Northwest will host Lindenwood on Friday, March 3, at 2 p.m. in the 2017 home opener. The three-game series will also feature a 2 p.m. Saturday contest and a 1 p.m. Sunday game.
— Northwest Athletics —

MU baseball tops Illinois to win Kleberg Bank Classic

Posted on February 26, 2017

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Mizzou Baseball won the Kleberg Bank College Classic after defeating Illinois, 7-6, on Sunday at Whataburger Field, extending the team’s winning streak to seven games. Mizzou has now won the Kleberg Bank Classic twice, doing so this year and in 2015, allowing just nine runs in six all-time games played at the event.

Freshman LHP T.J. Sikkema (DeWitt, Iowa) was tremendous on Sunday and in both appearances during the tournament. He earned his first career win after tossing the final 4.1 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs while matching his career high with eight strikeouts. Combined with his save Friday against No. 25 Houston, Sikkema tossed 7.0 shutout innings while striking out 11 and allowing just three hits and a walk on the tournament. He owns a 12.0-inning shutout streak and has struck out 19 batters in those 12.0 innings of work, allowing just seven hits.

Mizzou pounded out 11 hits, breaking the 10-hit mark for the sixth time in eight games this season. Mizzou also slugged five doubles Sunday and has at least three doubles in five straight games. CF Connor Brumfield (Columbia, Mo.) led Mizzou with three hits on Sunday, scoring two runs, and he has hit safely in every game this season.

Mizzou hit three doubles in the first inning and go a big, two-out, bases-loaded hit from junior C Nelson Mompierre (Miami, Fla.) to explode for four runs in the top of the first inning. Mompierre’s two-run single proved to be huge as Illinois took advantage of a fielding error and hit a three-run homer in its half of the first to cut the lead to 4-3.

Mizzou starter Liam Carter (Highland Park, Ill.) again got into trouble in the second inning, despite striking out the first batter he faced. He allowed a walk and a single as the lineup turned over and three-hole hitter Pat McInerney launched a three-run homer to give Illinois a 6-4 lead.

After Carter walked the first batter he faced in the third, Mizzou brought in RS sophomore Cameron Dulle (St. Louis, Mo.) who threw up a zero in the third. Kameron Misner (Poplar Bluff, Mo.) nearly tied the game with a double in the fourth inning, but it was hauled in on a running catch in the gap by LF Jack Yalowitz to strand a pair. Dulle settled things down for Mizzou, pitching a shutout fourth inning.

Mizzou got a run in the fifth on a bases-loaded balk by reliever Zack Jones to cut the lead to 6-5. Dulle then ran into a little bit of trouble as he allowed back-to-back singles after getting the first out in the fifth. Bren Spillane tried to go from first to third on the second single of the inning, but Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.) gunned him down at third with a perfect throw.

The Tigers finally broke through in the top of the sixth to regain the lead, scoring on a wild pitch and an error. Sikkema, who relieved Dulle, then pitched out of a tough spot in the sixth inning, stranding a pair with two strikeouts, leaving the tying run on second.

Sikkema was then sharp again in the eight, getting three quick outs and shut the door in the ninth, pitching around a leadoff single thanks to a huge, strike-out, throw-out double play, to seal the win.

Mizzou will return to Columbia for its home opener this Friday (March 3) at 6:30 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Chiefs Berry earns Derrick Thomas Award; Hill named Mack Lee Hill Award winner

Posted on February 26, 2017February 26, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Sunday that safety Eric Berry was named the winner of the club’s Derrick Thomas Award and wide receiver/return specialist Tyreek Hill earned the team’s Mack Lee Hill Award for the 2016 season. This marks Berry’s third postseason recognition after being awarded the Derrick Thomas Award last season alongside quarterback Alex Smith as well as earning the Mack Lee Hill Award after his rookie season in 2010. Both honors were voted on by all Chiefs players and will officially be presented at the 47th annual 101 Awards this evening. The Derrick Thomas Award serves as the team’s vote for most valuable player and the Mack Lee Hill Award is given to the club’s top rookie performer.

Berry (6-0, 212) appeared in 16 games (16 starts) this season. He finished second on the team with 77 tackles (62 solo), recorded nine passes defensed, one forced fumble and four interceptions, two returned for TDs – one at Carolina on Nov. 13, and then again on Dec. 4, at Atlanta, where picked up AFC Defensive Player of the Week after each performance. He was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl following the 2016 season. Berry’s other trips to the NFL’s annual all-star game came following his rookie year (2010), 2012, 2013 and 2015 seasons. Berry earned All-Pro honors from the Associated Press, and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-NFL Team following the 2016 season, joining Travis Kelce, Marcus Peters and Tyreek Hill. The safety was honored with the AP’s Comeback Player of the Year Award as well as being the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award following the 2015 season after overcoming Hodgkin’s lymphoma and making one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.

The seventh-year veteran is a Fairburn, Ga., native, who entered the league as the fifth-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Chiefs. The former University of Tennessee standout has accumulated 429 tackles (361 solo), 5.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, 53 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his NFL career.

Hill (5-10, 185) was Kansas City’s fifth-round pick (165th overall) in the 2016 NFL draft. In his first professional season, the rookie led the league in punt return yards (592), while tying Abner Haynes’ mark of 12 total touchdowns for a franchise rookie record. Hill was named a first-team All-Pro punt returner by the Associated Press and was voted All-Pro punt returner by Sporting News following the 2016 regular season.

During his rookie season, Hill was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 30, after his performance at Denver and was twice named AFC Special Teams player of the Week: first on Dec. 14, following Week 14 versus Oakland and once more on Jan. 4, 2017, after the final regular season game against San Diego. Following a breakout performance in Week 12 at Denver, he became the first player to record a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a kick return touchdown in a single game since Gale Sayers accomplished the feat in 1965 against the Minnesota Vikings. Joining a trio of Chiefs, Hill was named to the PFWA All-NFL Team and was additionally named to the 2017 Pro Bowl following his rookie campaign. The Pearson, Ga., native gathered All-AFC accolades from the PFWA as a kick returner and punt returner and was named to the All-Rookie team. Additionally, the former West Alabama product served as a special teams captain in 2016 prior to his first playoff appearance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

— Chiefs Press Release —

Nebraska gets clobbered at home by Illinois

Posted on February 26, 2017February 26, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Malcolm Hill scored 19 points and Illinois went on a 3-point shooting spree in the second half in a 73-57 victory over Nebraska on Sunday.

Tracy Abrams added 13 points and Maverick Morgan had 12 for the Illini (17-12, 7-9), who won their third straight road game and for the fourth time in five games overall.

Tai Webster had 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists to lead the Cornhuskers (12-16, 6-10).

The Illini, who came into the game 12th in the Big Ten in 3-point shooting in conference games (32.9 percent) made seven of their first eight 3s of the second half to go up 61-44 with 9:15 to play. They finished 13 of 26 from beyond the arc.

The Huskers are last in the Big Ten in 3-point defense in conference games (41.3 percent).

Hill scored 14 of his 19 points after half. He and Abrams each made four 3-pointers.

Illinois led 30-28 at half, and Abrams and Hill hit a couple 3s during a 10-3 spurt that gave the Illini a seven-point lead. Jalen Coleman-Lands’ 3 pushed the lead to 47-37 with 13:41 to play, and the Huskers never got closer.

The Illini continued to play strong defense, holding the Huskers to 37.5-percent shooting from the field, 26.7 percent on 3s and their second-lowest point total. In the previous six games, Illinois opponents were shooting 39.7 percent overall, 32.5 percent on 3s and averaging 64.2 points.

BIG PICTURE

Illinois: The Illini won a third straight Big Ten game for the first time since the 2014-15 season and are now in sole possession of ninth place. The Illini need to finish 10th or higher to avoid a play-in game in the conference tournament.

Nebraska: The Huskers suffered their most lopsided home loss of the season and probably need to win at least one of their last two regular-season games to avoid a play-in game.

UP NEXT

Illinois hosts Michigan State on Wednesday.

Nebraska visits Minnesota on Thursday.

— Associated Press —