CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS
  • BULLS
  • BLACKHAWKS
  • CUBS
  • WHITE SOX
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • Get In Touch
  • Join Our Group
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Philadelphia Eagles could break record set by dominant Chicago Bears defense
  • Can Hendrickson Guide Fire to MLS Playoffs?
  • Bears’ David Montgomery responds to contract talk rumors
  • Jaiden Felds signs NIL deal with WWE’s ‘Next in Line’ program
  • Chicago Bulls are on the way to the top this 2023
  • Why David Montgomery was the most consistent player on the Bears offense
  • Commanders insider has good news about potential Chicago Bears free agent target
  • Kiper: No deal, Chicago Bears take best player in Draft
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS

    Philadelphia Eagles could break record set by dominant Chicago Bears defense

    January 27, 2023

    Bears’ David Montgomery responds to contract talk rumors

    January 26, 2023

    Jaiden Felds signs NIL deal with WWE’s ‘Next in Line’ program

    January 26, 2023

    Why David Montgomery was the most consistent player on the Bears offense

    January 26, 2023

    Kiper: No deal, Chicago Bears take best player in Draft

    January 25, 2023
  • BULLS

    Chicago Bulls are on the way to the top this 2023

    January 26, 2023

    3 possible trade targets for the Chicago Bulls

    January 19, 2023

    Air Jordan 11 ‘DMP’ to get Holiday 2023 release?

    January 19, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    Zach LaVine trade rumors: 3 possible destinations

    December 30, 2022
  • BLACKHAWKS

    Comparing the Dynamic of Two Rebuilding Clubs

    January 25, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    Blackhawks’ Sam Lafferty returns to line-up vs. Jets

    December 9, 2022

    Blackhawks recall Lukas Reichel from Rockford

    December 6, 2022

    Phillip Danault: A Player Extraordinaire

    November 29, 2022
  • CUBS

    Chicago Cubs still sculpting their bullpen

    January 17, 2023

    Chicago Cubs 2023 prospect watch: Matt Mervis

    January 15, 2023

    Cubs add three shortstops through International Prospect signing day

    January 15, 2023

    Cubs and Trey Mancini agree to a two-year deal

    January 14, 2023

    Cubs hot stove: With Nick Madrigal as the odd man out, could the Cubs trade him?

    January 13, 2023
  • WHITE SOX

    Chicago White Sox 2023 prospect watch: outfielder Oscar Colas

    January 18, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    MLB analyst pitches insane White Sox Yankees trade

    December 22, 2022

    Outfielder Andrew Benintendi signs with White Sox

    December 16, 2022

    Analyst Reveals Poor Grade For White Sox Offseason So Far

    December 12, 2022
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Facebook Twitter Instagram
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
Home»Uncategorized»Illinois survive late 8-0 run to beat Valparaiso 64-52
Uncategorized

Illinois survive late 8-0 run to beat Valparaiso 64-52

Z PBy Z PNovember 14, 20134 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
i4
i4
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

i

After winning their first two games of the season by double digits, Illinois would face their biggest test of the early season taking on the streaking Valparaiso Crusaders. The Crusaders also entered the game with a 2-0 record, winning their last contest by an impressive 63 points against North Park, running out to 113 points. The Illini didn’t need 113 points to win this one—in fact, both teams combined for only 119 points. The final doesn’t tell the story of the hard fought game by Valpo, but Illinois found their rhythm in the end, winning 64-52.

The Crusaders were no push over last season despite playing in the Horizon League, finishing with a 26-8 record before falling to Michigan State in a competitive NCAA tournament game. The Crusaders lost six seniors that accounted for about 75% of the team’s possessions, but they were still a handful for the Illini.

Despite facing multiple double digit deficits throughout the contest, Valpo never let themselves out of the game.

“We had to grind that one out and that one wasn’t necessarily at the pace—we want to play as fast as possible,” Groce said. “I thought early we had good pace and then our pace wasn’t as good. Give them a lot of credit for that.”

Down by ten late in the second half, Valparaiso senior guard LaVonte Dority scored five straight points, topped off with a three pointer off the dribble.

Senior power forward Bobby Capobianco hit his second three of the game to cut it to a 49-47 Illinois lead as the Crusaders went on an 8-0 run with 6:43 left in the game.

Junior point guard Tracy Abrams finally ended the Illini cold streak, hitting a timely floater to make it a two possession game again.

Abrams had a slow start, but finished with a versatile 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

On the next Illinois possession, the Illini’s Rayvonte Rice sprinted into the lane and finished an athletic and-one drive over the 7 foot Moussa Gueye.

Illinois led 54-47 with 4:11 left after Rice hit the free throw.

Rice finished with a game high 18 points and 3 assists.

Back to back floaters by Abrams and Joseph Bertrand extended it to a 58-48 Illinois lead.

Rice entertained the fans one last time with a huge tip in slam to put the exclamation point on the Illinois victory.

“I really was proud of my guys for their effort, their attitude, and how hard they played,” Coach John Groce said. “Loved the fact that we got punched in the mouth on an 8-0 run to cut it to two, and then went right back on an 11-1 run.”

Although he was quiet on the offensive end, transfer grad student Jon Ekey was huge for the Illini.

After Illinois relinquished an early 15-5 lead and went scoreless for a seven minute stretch at one point in the first half, Ekey stole back the momentum.

With three seconds left in the half, Abrams got the ball inbounded just in time, finding Ekey on the perimeter.

Ekey lifted a high arcing shot from deep that somehow found its way into the basket at the buzzer. Illinois pulled their lead back out to 33-25 heading into the locker room.

Ekey finished with 6 points and 15 rebounds.

“I’ve always tried to use my athleticism and just try to get in there and get around guys,” Ekey said. “Tipping it out or grabbing it myself—I’ve always tried to, but today I just found a lot of the holes there and was able to get up there and tip them out or grab them.”

The Illini turned the ball over eight times and have now turned the ball over a total of 13 times in their past two contests—two turnovers less than they had in their first game.

Illinois shot a season-low 32% from the field, but at the end of the day, all that matters to Groce is coming away with the W.

“I thought we played the right way,” Groce said. “We didn’t play pretty, but we played the right way.”

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

Arik Wonsover big ten FEATURED Illinois John Groce Jon Ekey Rayvonte Rice Valparaiso
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
The Worst Things Bart Simpson Has Ever Done Ranked
Z P
  • Twitter

Chicago sports.

Related Posts

Uncategorized January 25, 2023

Commanders insider has good news about potential Chicago Bears free agent target

Uncategorized January 23, 2023

Why Is Full Spectrum CBD Gaining Popularity Among The Youth?

Chicago Bulls Rumors December 20, 2022

Report: Zach Lavine and the Bulls franchise “not seeing eye to eye”

Bears December 18, 2022

Breaking: Bears list QB, 2 WRs on inactive list against Eagles

Other November 29, 2022

Phillip Danault: A Player Extraordinaire

Uncategorized November 26, 2022

Why Is Soccer Such a Popular Sport?

Leave A Reply

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Team Message Boards

bears TP
bulls TP
cubs TP
sox TP
hawks TP
we want you to write
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
© 2023 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.