Illinois Basketball: Top 5 most thrilling finishes of the last decade
By Collin Allen
5. February 5, 2019: Ayo Dosunmu back-to-back clutch three-pointers vs. No. 9 Michigan State
The entirety of this game was controlled by the Illini and then-freshman guard Ayo Dosunmu, who finished the night with 24 points. That was until the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans took their first lead of the game with 6:21 remaining in the contest. It was a dog fight from that point on.
Eventually, the game became tied up at 68 apiece with just under three minutes remaining. That is when the young freshman took matters into his own hands. Ayo passed the ball to sophomore guard Trent Frazier, who immediately fed it back to Ayo, who let it fly from beyond the arc.
Splash.
Illini up 71-68 with 2:32 remaining.
The very next possession after a Spartans turnover, Ayo called an “Iso” against one of the conference’s top guards junior Cassius Winston with 20 seconds left on the shot clock and 2:09 remaining in the game.
ESPN commentator Dan Dakich was on the call. When the shot clock hit nine seconds, Dakich stated “this won’t end well for Illinois.” Right after that statement, Ayo let another one fly from beyond the arc.
Splash.
“It ended well!” Dakich backtracked.
The Illini would ultimately hang on to pull off the 79-74 upset and the fans would storm the court.