CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – On a day with the famed Flyin' Illini Final Four team was honored on its 30th anniversary, this year's edition of the Fighting Illini never got fully off the ground in an 83-76 loss to visiting Penn State at State Farm Center.
Freshman Ayo Dosunmu had 18 points, all after halftime, and Andres Feliz added 17 points for the Fighting Illini. Freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili had 16 points and 10 rebounds, his first career double-double.
The game was intense and included a second-half technical foul on Illinois coach Brad Underwood, who kicked a chair following a call he disagreed with. Illinois went on a 7-3 run following the technical.
The Nittany Lions were 26 of 53 (49 percent) from the field, while Illinois was 26 of 66 (39 percent).
Both teams struggled defensively in the first half, while the Illini's offense went cold for long stretches. Illinois shot only 35 percent from the field in the first half, while Penn State shot 50 percent.
The Nittany Lions led 39-32 at the half.
In the second half, Penn State led by as many as 15, 61-46, before going on a run to close within four, 70-66, in the final minutes. Penn State iced the game way with free throws.
Lamar Stevens scored 25 points for Penn State (11-16, 4-12 Big Ten), and Mike Watkins got his 26th career double-double for the Nittany Lions.
Illinois (10-17, 6-10), who had won four of its last five heading into the game, now travels to #12 Purdue on Wednesday night.
ILLINOIS POSTGAME NOTES
• Freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili notched his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, which tied his career high (10 vs. Evansville, 11/8/18). It was Bezhanishvili's 16th game scoring in double-figures this season.
• Freshman Ayo Dosunmu led the Illini in scoring with 18 points, all coming in the second half. It was his 19th game in double-figures this season and marked the 13th time he led the team in scoring.
• Junior Andres Feliz scored 17 points on 7-11 field goals, his eighth game in double figures this season and his second-most points as an Illini (19 vs. UNLV, 12/8/18).
• The game marked the 30th anniversary celebration of the 1988-89 "Flyin' Illini" Final Four team. The players, coaches and staff from the fan-favorite squad were introduced at halftime and signed autographs for fans after the game.
