Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Rutgers

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 09: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) box out Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Shaquille Doorson (2) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 9, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team has now won three games in a row after their win against Rutgers on Saturday.

This game was close from the start. At the 15-minute mark in the first half, Illinois had the lead by five points, 12-7, after an Adonis De La Rosa layup. The Illini would get that lead up to seven points, but Rutgers fought back and took the lead 19-17 with 10 minutes left until halftime.

Illinois would get the lead back to seven points at one time in the first half, but the Scarlet Knights played well. They ended up going on a scoring run to end the first half up 45-42.

No one really took control of the second half either. Illinois would get the lead back up to seven points again, but Rutgers fought back like in the first half. Ayo Dosunmu made a free throw to extend Illinois’ lead to two points with 22 seconds left in the game. Rutgers would make a bucket and the game went into overtime.

Rutgers started hot in overtime. They took a four-point lead right out of the gate. Illinois ended up regaining the lead, though, and never looked back. The Illini beat the Scarlet Knights, 99-94.

Here are five observations from the Illini win over Rutgers.

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