Gonzaga 85, Illinois 83 (OT): Illini Fall Short After Big Comeback

Read more at our Bulldog blog, The Slipper Still Fits, and our Illini blog, Hail To The Orange.

January 2, 2010 - Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Elias Harris hit a jumper with 12 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Gonzaga Bulldogs to a thrilling 85-83 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini in a non-league tilt at the United Center.

Harris finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds for Gonzaga (11-3). Steven Gray registered a team-high 20 points to help push the Bulldogs’ win streak to three games. Robert Sacre also scored 19, while Matt Bouldin finished with 18 points, nine boards and seven assists in the win.

Dominique Keller had a game-high 22 points off the bench to go along with nine boards for the Fighting Illini (9-5), who were coming off Wednesday night’s overtime win against Northwestern. Demetri McCamey scored 20, Brandon Paul added 17 points, and Mike Davis finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.

Gonzaga raced out to a commanding 32-11 lead on a jumper by Sacre at the 10:39 mark of the first half. However, Illinois was able to withstand the charge and eventually cut the deficit to 43-35 at halftime.

The Illini tied the score at 45 on a three-pointer by Paul two minutes into the second half, and they led by as many as eight with 10:36 remaining in regulation. Gonzaga took a 79-76 lead after Gray hit a pair of free throws with 22 seconds remaining. On the other end, Keller forced overtime on a three-pointer with nine seconds to play, which was made possible thanks to a key offensive rebound by Davis.

Illinois shot 0-of-6 from the floor in the extra session. After Harris put Gonzaga ahead on a jumper with 12 seconds to play, Paul missed a potential game-winning three for Illinois in the final seconds.

Gonzaga shot 55.9 percent from the floor. Meanwhile, the Illini struggled to find their range, as they connected on only 4-of-24 three-pointers for the game.