BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Fighting Illini lost to No. 19 West Virginia, 89-57 Thursday afternoon in the NIT Season Tip-Off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Illinois (4-2) was smothered by the Mountaineers' press defense.
Michael Finke led all scorers with 13 points. Mike Thorne Jr. came off the bench to tally 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Illini play No. 25 Florida State on Friday at 11:30 am to wrap up the NIT Season Tip-Off before returning home Tuesday to take on N.C. State at State Farm Center.
