Another Big Ten game was decided tonight in thrilling fashion, and showcased a great deal of freshman talent with Eric Gordon, D.J. White, Demetri McCamey, and Jeffrey Jordan all on display in Champaign.
Eric Gordon had 19 to lead Indiana in scoring while Demetri McCamey had 31 points off the bench for the Illini.
McCamey hit a huge three pointer to give the home team the lead with little time remaining in regulation. On the next Indiana possession, Eric Gordon's three-pointer tied the game at 63 and forced overtime.
Jeffrey Jordan, son of NBA Legend Michael Jordan, gave the Fighting Illini the lead at 66-64 in OT, and Jordan Crawford swished in two consecutive threes to give Indiana a three-point lead 69-66. MCcamey responded by taking a risky jumper from behind the arc and nailed it to tie the score at 69.
Tempers flared in this game even before tipoff, when Gordon was hit in the chest with a Chester Frazier shoulder and McCamey bumped D.J. White as he was walking back to the bench in O.T.
Shawn Pruitt was fouled with 2.2 seconds left and missed both free throws to send the game into a second O.T. Pruitt then made a bonehead move by almost fouling D.J. White on his desparation attempt with a second remaining in overtime.
In the second overtime, Armon Bassett hit a three to make it 74-71 and put #13 Indiana ahead for good. Eric Gordon failed to get the ball past halfcourt quick enough and helped keep Illinois' hopes alive.
On the ensuing inbounds play, a miscommunication on a pass to Brock turned the ball over and removed any prayer Illinois had left. Armon Bassett wrapped up the game by making the game's last FTs.
Gordon was tormented by Illini fans, who were angered that he chose Indiani over Illinois. Each time he touched the ball he heard loud boos from the packed arena.
He appeared to allow the boos to get the best of him and affect his game, going 0-4 and scoring 1 point on a FT in the entire 1st half. He still managed to finish with 19 points, however.
Trent Meachem—no relation to Saints WR Robert Meachem—the team's best 3 point shooter, only had 3 points in 25 minutes for Illinois. With the loss, the Fighting Illini are now 0-3 this year at home.
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