CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Malcolm Hill led the way for Illinois with 25 points Friday night and the Illini took care of business against Detroit Mercy in Champaign 89-69.
Illinois (4-0) continued its strong start to the season with another complete game from different players in the opening game of the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament.
The Illini had little trouble scoring, shooting 27-of-52 from the field and 8-of-19 from 3-point range. Friday marked the second straight game the Illini had difficulty shooting from the free throw line however, finishing 27-of-38.
Tracy Abrams continued to have a strong return to basketball, scoring 15 points and finishing with four rebounds.
Detroit Mercy (1-2) had trouble keeping up with Illinois' fast offensive pace from the start of the game — the Titans never held a lead in the game.
Josh McFolley and Jaleel Hogan both led the way with 16 points for a team that finished shooting 43 percent from the field and 24 percent from beyond the arc.
The Titans fell behind in most categories against the Illini, but Illinois won the rebound battle 39-29, including 33-25 defensive rebounds.
ILLINOIS POSTGAME NOTES
1. Illinois improved to 4-0 on the season with Friday's 89-69 victory over Detroit Mercy. Illinois is now 9-1 against the Titans.
2. The Illini start the year with a 4-0 record for the fourth time under head coach John Groce.
3. Illinois hosted Detroit Mercy as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off. Illinois will host Winthrop on Monday for another preliminary tournament game before heading to Brooklyn for the final two rounds of the event, Nov. 24-25.
4. Illinois led a balanced attack throughout the first half as eight different players scored. Illinois' first eight field goals were made by seven different players. Nine players contributed points in the Illini victory, with four putting up double-digits.
5. The Orange and Blue shot 52-percent (27-52), the third time in four games that Illinois has shot better than 50-percent.
6. The Illini bench scored 26 points against Detroit Mercy. Illinois' bench has outscored its opponents 85-33 in the last two wins.
7. Illinois never trailed, leading the game for 38:33 of the 40 minutes.
8. Sophomore guard Jalen Coleman-Lands tied his career-best with six rebounds.
9. Senior guard Malcolm Hill scored 25 points vs. Detroit, his 23rd career 20-point game. It's his third with 20+ points in four games this season.
10. Senior point guard Jaylon Tate scored a career-high 12 points, his fourth-career game with 10+ points. He also led the team in assists (6).
11. Senior point guard Tracy Abrams scored a season-high 15 points and grabbed a season-best four rebounds. He went 4-for-6 from the field.
12. Senior center Mike Thorne Jr. went 4-for-4 from the field and scored a season-high 11 points against Detroit.
