Highlights | Press Conference | Photo Gallery | Box Score (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- No. 16 Illinois dropped its Big Ten opener on the road to No. 22 Maryland, 71-66, on Friday night.
Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way for the Illini with 19 points, scoring 11 points in the second half in the narrow defeat.
Coleman Hawkins registered 16 points and recorded four blocks, tying a career-best mark, while RJ Melendez recorded 13 points for his third straight double-digit scoring game. Melendez also grabbed a career-high seven rebounds in the contest.
The Illini (6-2, 0-1) will head to New York City on Tuesday night to take on No. 2 Texas at Madison Square Garden.
HIGHLIGHTS
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM NOTES
- Illinois shot 44.3 percent from the floor (27-61), the seventh time this season they have shot better than 40 percent in a game.
- The Illini grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, which led to 17 second-chance points
- Illinois has at least seven blocks in back-to-back games.
- The Illini outscored the Terrapins 44-28 in the paint.
PLAYER NOTES
- Junior Coleman Hawkins scored 16 points and grabbed seven boards. He also recorded four blocks in the contest.
- Hawkins has double-digit scoring efforts in four games this season.
- Hawkins matched his career high in blocks.
- Hawkins has at least seven rebounds in three games this season.
- Sophomore RJ Melendez scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting, including 2-for-3 from behind the arc. He also grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.
- Melendez has scored in the double-digits in three-straight games.
- Melendez has also made at least two 3-pointers in four-straight games.
- Senior Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 19 points, secured seven rebounds and dished three assists.
- Shannon Jr. has poured in at least 19 points in four games this season.
- Shannon Jr. has grabbed at least seven rebounds in five games this season.
