LAHAINA, HI – Trent Frazier scored 27 of his 29 points in the second half to lead a furious Fighting Illini rally against third-ranked Gonzaga, but the Bulldogs held on for an 84-78 victory in the opening round of the 2018 Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
Gonzaga went up 13 in the second half and withstood Illinois' 10-0 run to lead by nine with 97 seconds left, 80-71.
The Illini weren't done, though.
Freshman Alan Griffin hit a 3-pointer and sophomore Trent Frazier scored on a four-point play to pull the Illini within 80-78.
Illinois then forced Gonzaga into a shot clock violation and got the ball back with 30 seconds left, but Frazier was of the mark on a long 3-pointer for the lead with 16 seconds left.
Gonzaga's Jeremy Jones hit two free throws to send the Zags into Tuesday's semifinals.
Frazier scored 27 of his 29 points in the second half and Giorgi Bezhanishvili added 17 points and six rebounds for Illinois. Senior Aaron Jordan nearly had a double-double with eight points and 10 boards.
Frazier, who had just two points at half, knocked down 6-of-11 from behind the arc, all in the second half, to keep the Orange and Blue within striking distance.
Rui Hachimura scored 23 points and Zach Norvell Jr. added 15 for No. 3 Gonzaga, who now will face Arizona in the semifinals.
Illinois (1-2) has a quick turnaround, as they'll face Iowa State on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 4 pm CT on ESPN2, in the consolation bracket.
