Riley's 22 Points Power Illinois Past Xavier in NCAA Thriller

Illinois Upsets Xavier in NCAA Tournament Thriller

Illinois' freshman forward, Will Riley, exploded for 22 points, 18 in the second half, leading the No. 6 seed Illini to an 86-73 victory over No. 11 seed Xavier in the NCAA Tournament's first round. This electrifying performance propelled Illinois to a second-round matchup against No. 3 Kentucky.

Riley's Second-Half Surge

Riley's "slippery" moves, as coach Brad Underwood described them, were key to Illinois' comeback. He consistently found his way to the basket, sinking seven of eight shots and all three of his three-point attempts after halftime. This impressive scoring spree, including a 10-point outburst in under three minutes, completely shifted the game's momentum.

Balanced Illinois Attack

Riley wasn't alone in his scoring prowess. Tomislav Ivišić contributed 20 points, Kasparas Jakučionis added 16 points and 10 assists, and Kylan Boswell chipped in 15 points. Ivišić's four three-pointers, a record for a 7-footer in the NCAA Tournament, were particularly noteworthy. The Illini's dominant performance included perfect free throw shooting (18-for-18) and a significant rebounding advantage (45-25).

Xavier's Struggles

Xavier's leading scorer, Zach Freemantle, was held to a mere five points, significantly hindering their offensive capabilities. While Dailyn Swain scored a career-high 27 points for Xavier, it wasn't enough to overcome Illinois' balanced attack and second-half surge.

Looking Ahead

Illinois' victory sets up a compelling clash against Kentucky. The Illini will look to leverage their momentum and strong team performance to continue their deep NCAA Tournament run. This exciting matchup promises to be a highlight of the Midwest Region.