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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 most thrilling finishes of the last decade

By Collin Allen

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 28: Illinois Fighting Illini fans in the Orange Krush section cheer against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Assembly Hall on November 28, 2012 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois won 75-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 28: Illinois Fighting Illini fans in the Orange Krush section cheer against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Assembly Hall on November 28, 2012 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois won 75-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 20: Rayvonte Rice #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots the game-winning shot over Keith Shamburger #14 of the Missouri Tigers during the 34th Annual Bud Light Braggin’ Rights game at the Scottrade Center on December 20, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 20: Rayvonte Rice #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots the game-winning shot over Keith Shamburger #14 of the Missouri Tigers during the 34th Annual Bud Light Braggin’ Rights game at the Scottrade Center on December 20, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

3. December 20, 2014: Rayvonte Rice gives the Illini braggin’ rights over Missouri

This was a close fight throughout the entire game.  The largest lead of the contest was a six-point Illini lead with 12:48 remaining in the game.  Illinois was not safe, however, as the Illini and Tigers would eventually trade leads for the next twelve minutes.

Fast forward to 18 seconds left in a tied up 59-59 ball game.  The Illini have possession at their end of the floor.  Senior guard Rayvonte Rice receives the inbound and milks the clock.

After what feels like an eternity, with two second remaining, Rice releases a step-back shot from beyond the arc as he’s falling and being tightly contested.  The ball falls through the net as soon as the buzzer sounds to give the Illini a 62-59 win over the Tigers.

Rice is mobbed by his teammates after securing the victory. This was Illinois’ second-straight win over the Tigers.

The year prior, the Orange and Blue took down No. 23 Missouri by a point. These two victories helped propel Illinois to a great run of winning the annual Braggin’ Rights game. The Illini would win five in a row and now have a 28-17 all-time record against Missouri.

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