Illini fall to Miami(OH)

Miami (OH) 61 Illinois 58 OT (Box Score) Illinois shot just 35% from the floor including a dismal 2 of 15 from the 3-point line in last nights overtime loss to Redhawks of Miami (Ohio). Shaun Pruitt scored a career-high 24 points on 9-16 shooting and also pulled in 15 rebounds for the Illini. Forward Brian Randall was the only other Illini in double digits with 14. Chester Frazier continues to disappoint for Illinois scoring just 2 points in 42 minutes. Frazier missed all five of his shots last night and was 0 for 3 from behind the arc. Take away Pruitt and Randall, and the rest of the Illini shot just 16% against the Redhawks defense. Coach Bruce Weber told the team it would be a "gut-check game" and his team could not find a way to win at home. The Redhawks were paced by the play of Tim Pollitz who had his way inside scoring 17 points on 8 of 14 shooting and pulling in 13 boards. Junior guard Michael Bramos provided 19 points off the bench on 7-13 shooting and went 3 of 7 from the 3-point line. With the win, Miami improved to 6-4 on the season while the loss drops Illinois to 6-4. Up next for the Illini is the Busch Braggin' Rights game against Missouri on Saturday in St. Louis. One of the many quality games on tap for Big Ten teams tomorrow. It should be a fun weekend of basketball with the conference season just around the corner.