CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Malcolm Hill scored 22 points to lead Illinois to a 73-70 win over Michigan State on Wednesday night. The Fighting Illini have now won four straight games.
The Spartans fought all the way, erasing a couple of double-digit leads, but the Illini relied on a defense that's grown stronger in the last few games.
"It just feels different," said Malcolm Hill, who led the Illini with 22 points. "I think it's just clicking for us."
Michigan State had a chance to win the game in the last 10 second, but Miles Bridges missed a layup when Illinois' Te'Jon Lucas stripped the ball away.
Illinois led 73-70 with three seconds left after Kipper Nichols made one of two free throws and Lourawls Nairn Jr. attempted a 3-pointer with the game clock expiring, but the shot caromed off the backboard, securing the Illini win.
Hill scored 22 points on 6 of 16 shooting and helped the Illini control the pace for what was a close game for much of the night — leading for 25:33.
Much of the success came from hot shooting. Illinois (18-12, 8-9 Big Ten) shot 45 percent from the field and 11-26 from 3-point range.
But the key was a strong defensive effort that has helped Illinois win four straight and five of the last six games.
For a team that has gone through a cliché rollercoaster ride this season, Illinois still has a postseason shot with one game left. Insiders and fans may not have seen that coming after the rough start to the season.
"It was a high-level game, there was a lot of emotion both ways," Groce said. "It's kind of cool when you're still playing for something."
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo had fewer answers on the other hand.
His team shot 48 percent from the field, 8-21 from 3-point range, out-rebounded Illinois 33-25, but despite all the category wins, the Spartans couldn't overcome Illinois and only led for 8:40.
Izzo was worried about his team's confidence after the Spartans beat No. 16 Wisconsin on Sunday, and he was right to be worried.
"It was not the focus that we need on the road to beat a good, experienced team," Izzo said. "I'm just disappointed. We didn't do enough."
Bridges led the way for Michigan State (18-12, 10-7 Big Ten) with 21 points and Alvin Ellis III scored 15 points, 13 of which came in the second half. The Spartans turned the ball over 15 times.
Izzo's team has one more game before the postseason starts. He wants an accountable team, and is eager to see how the Spartans respond.
"This time I thought the players did not bring what they needed to bring, and we'll find a way to bring it to Maryland," Izzo said.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini carry their four-game winning streak into the regular season finale at Rutgers on Saturday (11 am CT on ESPNU).
ILLINOIS POSTGAME NOTES
- The all-time series between Illinois and Michigan State is tied 59-59. The Illini lead in Champaign, 38-19.
- Illinois has won four straight and five of its last six games.
- Malcolm Hill scored 22 points to give him 1,759 points in his career, passing Brian Cook (1748, 2000-03) for fourth place on Illinois' all-time scoring list.
- Leron Black had a career-high three three-pointers, all coming in the first half.
- Black scored 13 first-half points on 5-of-5 shooting. The 13 points is his most in a first half this season.
- Illinois scored 14 points off nine Michigan State turnovers in the first half. The Illini totaled 18 points off turnovers in the game.
- Illinois shot 7 of 14 (50%) from three-point range in the first half.
- Illinois turned the ball over just seven times, their third-lowest total of the season.
- The Illini assisted on 14 of 27 made shots.
- Hill led all scorers with 22 points, his 24th straight game scoring in double figures. It also was his sixth straight game and 19th time this season as the Illini's high scorer.
- The Illini are 13-2 this season when shooting at least 45 percent from the field.
- Michigan State had nine assists on 25 made field goals. They entered tonight's game ranking No. 8 in the nation in assists per game (17.6)
- The 15,544 attendance marks the second sellout of the season and 257th since the building opened during the 1962-63 season. Illinois' last sellout came on February 4 against Minnesota.
