Box Score Nov. 17, 2012
Box Score
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HONOLULU, HI - Senior guard D.J. Richardson hit a three-pointer as time expired in overtime to give Illinois a thrilling 78-77 win over Hawai'i in Honolulu Saturday night.
The Fighting Illini (3-0) trailed most of the game and by as many as 16 points early in the second half, 44-28 with 19:33 left, but came back to take a two-point lead in the final minute. Hawai'i's Vander Joaquin hit a jumper as the clock expired in regulation to tie the game at 66 and send it to overtime.
Hawai'i jumped out to a 74-69 lead in OT, but two threes by Richardson in the final 2:15, including the game-winner just before the final buzzer, were enough to give coach John Groce his first road win at Illinois.
Brandon Paul led the Illini with 25 points, Tracy Abrams tied his career-high with 22 points and a career-high five steals, and Richardson finished with 16 points, all in the second half or overtime.
Illinois will now head to Maui to for the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Nov. 19-21. The Illini will face USC on Monday night at 11 p.m. CT.
