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No. 15 Iowa weathers Illini comeback for 81-74 win

Sports

February 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Gabriel Olaseni had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Number 15 Iowa overcame Illinois’ furious comeback to pull out an 81-74 victory Saturday night. The Hawkeyes (17-5, 6-3 Big Ten) led by 21 points just over 12 minutes into the game and were battering the Illini with their bench and Big Ten-best rebounding.

Illinois (13-9, 2-7) fought its way back and took a 62-61 lead on a 3-pointer by Tracy Abrams with 10:18 left in the game. But Iowa stayed close and took the lead for good at 72-70 on a bucket by Mike Gesell with 3:50 to play. Joseph Bertrand scored 20 points and Rayvonte Rice added 13 for Illinois, which lost its seventh straight game.

Roy Devyn Marble led the Hawkeyes with 17 points and Aaron White added 14 in Champaign.