Box Score | Photos
VALENCIA – Senior Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 25 points in 15 minutes Wednesday to lead Illinois to a 105-60 victory over the Valencia International Basketball Academy.
Five players scored in double figures and 12 entered the scoring column as Illinois led from start to finish in the blowout win. Shannon erupted for 23 of his game-high 25 points in less than 12 first-half minutes. He scored from everywhere, attacking the basket, in transition, and from the outside, finishing 10-of-14 from the field with a two 3-pointers and adding 3-of-3 from the foul line.
Freshman Amani Hansberry netted 13 and nearly recorded a double-double, collecting a game-high nine rebounds including eight on the offensive end. Fellow freshman Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scored 12 with three steals. Senior Justin Harmon and junior Dain Dainja added 10 points apiece.
Head Coach Brad Underwood is appointing an assistant to serve as acting coach for each game of the tour. Assistant Geoff Alexander directed the Illini tonight against Valencia, following Tim Anderson coaching against Madrid. Illinois employed a different starting lineup and once again distributed the playing time evenly, with 11 players logging between 15 and 21 minutes.
"This was a much more focused and energetic effort from our team," Underwood said. "The jet lag and fatigue are behind us now, as compared to the first game, and we were able to do the things we teach tonight like play with pace, run extremely hard in transition, and offensive rebound. It helps when you don't turn it over and don't foul, two things that were also better than in game one.
"I thought we had a very well-rounded and balanced attack," Underwood continued. "We changed lineups and got the new guys a lot of minutes, and I like what I saw pretty much across the board. There are many positives to point to: Ty was great on the boards and pushing the ball, Amani was all over the offensive glass, Dra played a lot at the point and was aggressive, Justin was very active. Then you look at some of our most proven veterans who we brought off the bench tonight, and in the first half alone Terrence goes for 23 and Coleman is plus 19. So again, a great night all-around. Now we'll enjoy a beach day tomorrow before moving on to Barcelona."
Prior to the game, Illinois toured the Oceanografic aquarium. The Illini will stay one more day in Valencia before traveling by bus to Barcelona on Friday. Illinois' third and final game of the tour is Sunday against the Barcelona All-Stars.
