Abrams leads Illini past Auburn at UC
By: Aaron Bennett
Updated: December 29, 2012
CHICAGO - Tracy Abrams scored 27 points and pulled down 8 rebounds - both were career-highs - as Illinois held off Auburn 81-79 at the United Center Saturday afternoon. The sophomore Abrams also had five assists, four steals and only one turnover helping the Illini (13-1) bounce-back from their first loss of the season to Missouri last week.
Illinois got the scoring started with the hometown kids. After a block from Brandon Paul, Abrams went coast to coast for the first score of the game. Paul then hit a layup, then Nnanna Egwu showed off his midrange game by sinking a pair of jumpers early on. Egwu finished with 6 points after going 3-7 from the field.
Abrams was the man of the hour. In his first season as a regular starter, he broke out with his 27 point performance, 16 of which game in the first half. The sophomore was efficient, making 6-11 while dishing out five dimes and turning the ball over once. He also got to the line 15 times, sinking 13 of his free throws.
Paul did have the basket of the game when it came to style points. He drove in the lane, then as he was falling down, the senior flipped the ball up in the air. It went off the glass and through the hoop.
While Illinois was once dominated in the paint (Auburn scored 34 points under the basket and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds), the floor generals showed their aggression today. Abrams and Paul earned a combined 25 trips to the charity strip, while converting 20 free throws.
Illinois starts conference play Wednesday when they visit Purdue.
Illinois got the scoring started with the hometown kids. After a block from Brandon Paul, Abrams went coast to coast for the first score of the game. Paul then hit a layup, then Nnanna Egwu showed off his midrange game by sinking a pair of jumpers early on. Egwu finished with 6 points after going 3-7 from the field.
Abrams was the man of the hour. In his first season as a regular starter, he broke out with his 27 point performance, 16 of which game in the first half. The sophomore was efficient, making 6-11 while dishing out five dimes and turning the ball over once. He also got to the line 15 times, sinking 13 of his free throws.
Paul did have the basket of the game when it came to style points. He drove in the lane, then as he was falling down, the senior flipped the ball up in the air. It went off the glass and through the hoop.
While Illinois was once dominated in the paint (Auburn scored 34 points under the basket and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds), the floor generals showed their aggression today. Abrams and Paul earned a combined 25 trips to the charity strip, while converting 20 free throws.
Illinois starts conference play Wednesday when they visit Purdue.
