PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Jalen Coleman-Lands scored 17 points and Malcolm Hill had 15 points plus 11 rebounds for Illinois in a gut-wrenching 60-59 loss at Providence Wednesday night.
Rodney Bullock's free throw with 43 seconds left gave Providence the lead for good.
Illinois (1-2) missed three shots in the final 10 seconds. Hill drove to the basket and missed a layup. Michael Finke grabbed the rebound but missed a dunk. The Fighting Illini again got the rebound but Hill missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
A 3-pointer by Ben Bentil and a layup by Ryan Fazekas to open the second half gave the Friars (2-0) the biggest lead of the night at 7 points. Finke responded with 5-straight points and neither team led by more than 3 after that. Hill's jumper tied the game at 59 with 1:18 left before Bullock's free throw.
Bentil finished 18 points and 12 rebounds and Bullock added 13 points.
