Nov. 8, 2009

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Champaign, Ill. - Illinois closed out exhibition play Sunday afternoon with an 84-63 victory over Quincy at the Assembly Hall. Freshman D.J. Richardson recorded a game-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range, to lead the Illini. The Orange and Blue had four players score in double figures, as Alex Legion came off the bench to score 12, freshman Brandon Paul had 11 and Mike Davis added 10.

Illinois trailed for the majority of the game's first 10 minutes, then went on a 10-0 run to take a 25-22 lead with six minutes left in the half, extending the advantage to seven points at intermission.

The Illini pushed the lead to 10 early in the second half, but the visitors would not go away quietly. Quincy went on a 14-5 run to pull within 54-53 with 10 minutes remaining. Illinois controlled the rest of the game, however, outscoring the Hawks 30-10 over the final 10 minutes. Richardson scored 10 of his 23 during that stretch.

The Illini shot 49 percent (30-61), including 42 percent from 3-point range, making 13-of-31 from behind the arc. Illinois tallied 21 assists on its 30 field goals, and after committing 19 turnovers in its first exhibition game vs. Missouri Southern, the Illini finished with just six miscues against Quincy.

Illinois opens the regular season on Friday, hosting Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at 7 p.m.