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CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (AP) - Kendrick Nunn scored 21 points and Malcolm Hill added 15 to help Illinois survive a late rally against struggling Rutgers, 66-54 on Tuesday.

Illinois led by as many as 17, but Rutgers closed to within eight at 62-54 with 2:36 to play on a 3-pointer by Kadeem Jack.

With the Scarlet Knights forced to foul, Nunn hit a pair of free throws with 53 seconds left to open the lead back to a safe 10, 64-54.

Ahmad Starks added 13 points off the bench and Leron Black had 12 for Illinois (15-8, 5-5 Big Ten).

Rutgers has now lost seven straight.

Jack led Rutgers (10-14, 2-9) with 17 points and nine rebounds. Myles Mack added 16 points and six rebounds.

Rutgers was in the game early, too, taking a 20-19 lead with 7:06 left in the first on a highlight dunk by Shaquille Doorson. But the Illini quickly took that lead back, and then took off.

They used a 16-4 run to close the half for a 35-24 edge.

Hill and Jaylon Tate finished the half on a fast break. Tate stole the ball from Junior Etou and took off up the right side of the court with Hill on his left. As they neared the basket and the lone Rutgers defender, Tate fed the ball behind his head to Hill, who took the pass and finished with an easy layup.

Starks provided an early spark off the bench for Illinois with eight first-half points and a pair of 3-pointers that kept Rutgers from pulling away. He transferred from Oregon State as that school's leading all-time 3-point shooter, but has mostly struggled at Illinois after sitting out last season.

Mack's scoring was limited by a 1 of 8 night from 3-point range. In all, Rutgers was 4 of 18 from behind the arc.