(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, ORE—Maybe the experts were right after all.
All week long, it seemed like all the national media picked the No. 12 seed Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to upset No. 5 seed Illinois.
And that's what happened.
The Fighting Illini fell behind the Hilltoppers in the first half, and despite a valiant late run that brought Illinois back to within a one-possession game, Western Kentucky prevailed 76-72 at the Rose Garden Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball National Tournament.
Western Kentucky (24-8, 15-3 Sun Belt) advances to the second round and will play No. 4 Gonzaga, who defeated Akron 77-64 Thursday.
With 5:58 remaining in the game, a Steffphon Pettigrew tip-in gave the Hilltoppers a 68-51 lead. Illinois began a 20-3 run to cut the score to 71-68 with a Demetri McCamey layup with 0:32 left in the game.
Trent Meacham hit a couple of running bank shots to keep the Fighting Illini in the game, maintaining a one-possession difference. But Western Kentucky did not allow Illinois to get any closer.
Western Kentucky hit two free-throws, Meacham answered with a field goal to make it 73-70. Meacham hit another shot with eight seconds left in the game to make it 74-72. But the Hilltoppers controlled the inbound pass and iced the game away when Anthony Sally hit both of his free-throws.
Senior Trent Meacham scored 24 points for the Illini and senior Calvin Brock recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds. For the Hilltoppers, Sergio Kerusch scored 14 points and Orlando Mendez-Valdez tallied 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Illini led 10-9 after a McCamey layup with 13:12 in the first half. The Hilltoppers began a 22-7 to go up 31-17 in the first half.
One year after missing the NCAA tournament, Illinois finished 24-9 overall and 11-7 in the Big Ten.
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