Shannon’s surge rallies Illinois past No. 21 Northwestern

Shannon’s surge rallies Illinois past No. 21 Northwestern

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Terrence Shannon Jr. shook off a slow start in his return from a concussion, scoring 24 of his 26 points in the second half as Illinois rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to beat No. 21 Northwestern 66-62 on Thursday night. Shannon did not start and found himself back on the…

Illinois deals Minnesota 10th straight defeat 78-69

Illinois deals Minnesota 10th straight defeat 78-69

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Matthew Mayer scored 22 points and Illinois handed Minnesota its 10th straight loss with a 78-69 victory on Monday night. Mayer made 7 of 14 shots with two 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds for the Fighting Illini (18-9, 9-7 Big Ten Conference), who snapped a two-game skid. Jayden Epps sank 4…

Illinois women blow out Penn State 85-62 for win number 20

Illinois women blow out Penn State 85-62 for win number 20

CHAMPAIGN — On the day the Fighting Illini athletic department raised a banner honoring Theresa Grentz to the rafters of State Farm Center, the Illinois women’s basketball team accomplished something it had only done once since Grentz was its head coach: win 20 games in a season.  The Illini ran away from Penn State on…

Jackson-Davis scores 26, leads No. 14 Indiana past Illinois

Jackson-Davis scores 26, leads No. 14 Indiana past Illinois

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Trayce Jackson-Davis quickly caught and surpassed his coach on Indiana’s career scoring list Saturday. It took the senior more time to help the No. 14 Hoosiers surpass Illinois. Jackson-Davis and the Hoosiers (19-8, 10-6 Big Ten) have won nine of their last 11 and 15 in a row on their home…

After a lawsuit and a no-show game, Vermilion County’s professional hockey team ceases operations
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After a lawsuit and a no-show game, Vermilion County’s professional hockey team ceases operations

DANVILLE – The Vermilion County Bobcats made national headlines after failing to show at a game against the Quad City Storm on Feb. 5.  Just days later, the Bobcats released a statement on Twitter announcing the team was ceasing operations effective immediately. The team did not respond to requests for comment. Jamie Gooch, who was…

No. 8 Maryland rallies in second half to beat Illinois 82-71

No. 8 Maryland rallies in second half to beat Illinois 82-71

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — When it came time for Brenda Frese’s Maryland players to rate their performance at halftime, there was a bit of a disconnect between them and their coach. “They rate themselves a little higher than what I (did),” Frese said. “That was called out.” Whatever was said during that break, the…

Hawkins, Illinois win, hold No. 24 Rutgers scoreless for 10 minutes

Hawkins, Illinois win, hold No. 24 Rutgers scoreless for 10 minutes

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Coleman Hawkins scored 18 points and Illinois held No. 24 Rutgers scoreless for more than 10 minutes in the second half, rallying for a 69-60 win Saturday. The Illinois (17-7, 8-5 Big Ten) trailed 47-41 with 14 1/2 minutes left before Hawkins’ 3-pointer started a 19-0 run. Rutgers (16-9, 8-6) missed…

Illini women use big second half run to top Nebraska 72-64

Illini women use big second half run to top Nebraska 72-64

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Illinois women’s basketball team used a 20-0 second half run to push past Nebraska Thursday night 72-64. The Illini (19-6 overall, 9-5 Big Ten) lost starting guard Genesis Bryant to injury in the first quarter, but Jayla Oden played well off the bench in Bryant’s absence, scoring 12 points and adding…

LeBron James breaks the NBA career scoring record, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

LeBron James breaks the NBA career scoring record, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has now scored more points than any NBA player in history, as he passed fellow Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career 38,387 points on Tuesday night in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. The record came near the end of the third quarter, when James hit a fadeaway jumper. It’s…

Basketball player making layup

Illinois women top Minnesota for highest win total in ten years, 69-62

CHAMPAIGN — The last time the Illinois women’s basketball team won 18 games, Barack Obama had just started his second term as president. The Fighting Illini matched that total with a 69-62 win over Minnesota on Sunday in front of 4,533 fans at State Farm Center in Champaign. Makira Cook led Illinois with 21 points,…