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Illinois Basketball: 5 biggest games of Ayo Dosunmu’s freshman season

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 29: The bench erupts in celebration after Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) hits a three point shot to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation during the college basketball game between the Florida Atlantic University Owls and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 29, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 29: The bench erupts in celebration after Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) hits a three point shot to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation during the college basketball game between the Florida Atlantic University Owls and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 29, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 27: Dane Goodwin #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defends against Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at Purcell Pavilion on November 27, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 27: Dane Goodwin #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defends against Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at Purcell Pavilion on November 27, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Illinois vs. Rutgers

Not all games are pretty and a win is a win. I am sure I can throw out some more clichés but the game against Rutgers fits the bill when it comes to the saying a win is a win. This game a tough one that Illinois would eventually end up winning.

Ayo was huge in the game against Rutgers. Illinois got out to a quick lead by seven points but the Scarlet Knights came fighting back. Rutgers kept the game close the entire first half and was able to get the lead back with less than three minutes to go until halftime. After a Tevian Jones jumper, the Illini would go into the locker room down 45-42.

No one was able to take full control of this game. Illinois did charge ahead getting the lead up to seven points at one time in the second half, but Rutgers didn’t fold. They were strong and fought back to tie the game with 10-seconds left to send it to overtime. Illinois was able to beat Rutgers in overtime 13-8 to take the game, though.

Ayo wasn’t a huge scoring factor in the game against Rutgers, but he was able to do the other things on the court. He finished the night with 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point range. In addition to the 12 points, he also had 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. This all-around great performance helped propel the Illini to a victory over the Scarlet Knights.

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