Terrence Shannon Jr. totaled 27 points and four blocks and Marcus Domask had 19 points and 12 rebounds as No. 14 Illinois pulled out an 85-80 win over Maryland on Saturday in College Park, Md.
The Fighting Illini (19-6, 10-4 Big Ten) never led by more than seven points but still secured their fifth win in six games. Coleman Hawkins added 14 points and Justin Harmon scored 10 for Illinois, which won at Maryland for the second time in program history.
Maryland, playing less than 24 hours after the death of legendary coach Lefty Driesell, got a superhero performance from Jahmir Young. He racked up 28 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Terrapins (14-12, 6-9).
Julian Reese posted 18 points and 11 rebounds and Donta Scott scored 17 points for Maryland. Scott was a late scratch from the starting lineup but still played 33 minutes off the bench.
The teams combined for 47 personal fouls. Illinois made 32 of 36 free throws and Maryland converted 24 of 29.
Maryland tied the game once in the second half, when Young and Scott combined to make four free throws in a 15-second span. Domask went in for a layup to provide Illinois’ answer, making it 70-68 with 5:28 to play.
The Terrapins twice drew within one point but proceeded to miss five straight shots from the field. Illinois capitalized on Maryland’s failed fastbreak with Hawkins making a layup and foul shot; Shannon’s layup just over a minute later made it 79-73.
Shannon sank six free throws down the stretch to ice the game. He finished 14-for-16 from the foul line.
Early on, Ty Rodgers’ drive and kick out to Domask for a corner trey gave Illinois a 12-8 lead, and the Illini scored 10 of their next 12 points at the foul line to go ahead 24-19.
Young took over for Maryland, his drives to the hoop pushing the Terrapins ahead on two occasions. His three-point play at the 5:46 mark of the first half made it 30-28 Maryland.
Illinois finished the half on a 15-8 run to head to the locker room up 43-38. Young had 15 points for Maryland in the first half, while Domask led Illinois with 13.
It remained close throughout the start of the second half. Domask’s layup and Shannon’s three-point play stretched the Illini advantage to 60-53 with 10:07 to play. The Terrapins got back within two on Young’s easy three-point play with 6:26 to go.
–Field Level Media
