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Illinois Rallies To Beat North Dakota State, 80-74

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois center Mike Thorne Jr. scored 21 points and the Illini stiffened on defense in the second half to rally for an 80-74 win over North Dakota State on Sunday.

After leading for only 17 seconds in the first half and falling behind by 14 points in both halves, the Illini managed a weekend split against strong midmajor programs. Illinois (1-1) lost to North Florida on Friday.

While Thorne scored 13 points in the second half, he found help from Illini freshman Jalen Coleman-Lands, who sparked Illinois on a 9-0 run to get the Illini back into the game early in the second half. Coleman-Lands scored 12 of his 15 points after halftime.

After its defense was unable to slow the Bison in the first half, Illinois gave up another 3-pointer to start the second half and trail 42-28.

Coleman-Lands scored eight points, sinking two 3-pointers and scoring on a drive in the key rally to trim the deficit to 42-37 with 15:50 left.

North Dakota State bounced back with a 3-pointer from Paul Miller and a fast-break basket by A.J. Jacobson for a 51-41 lead.

But the Illini kept chipping away at the deficit. Alex Austin sank a 3-pointer to get Illinois to within 56-52 with 7:50 remaining.

Illinois never trailed again after Thorne's 3-point play for a 60-57 lead with 5:39 left. It was Illinois' first lead since the opening basket.

Miller scored 19 points to lead North Dakota State (1-1).

After allowing 93 points in a loss Friday, Illinois struggled defensively in the first half. Following the early 3-pointer by North Dakota State to start the second half, the Illini allowed 17 points over the next 15 minutes.

Two nights after allowing 93 points in the season opener, Illinois juggled defenses but couldn't slow the Bison as North Dakota State jumped to a 21-9 lead. Illinois played man-to-man and zone defenses, looking for a solution with an inexperienced lineup.

Miller scored eight points by hitting two 3-pointers as North Dakota State pulled away to a 14-6 lead.

Miller was 3 of 4 on 3-pointers in the first half, as Illinois had trouble guarding the 3-point line for the second straight game. The Bison were 7 of 13 on 3-point attempts in the first half.

Illinois played the second of four games at the Prairie Capital Convention Center while State Farm Center on campus is undergoing renovation. The Illini don't play at home until December.

TIP-INS

Illinois: While battling injuries, Illinois went with two transfers in the starting lineup. Guard Khalid Lewis is a fifth-year senior who played last season at La Salle. He began his career at Delaware. Forward Alex Austin is a transfer from Eastern Illinois. ... Forward Leron Black played his first minutes after missing the season opener Friday while recovering from knee surgery.

North Dakota State: If the Bison want to make a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, they must prepare for a showdown with South Dakota State. In the Summit League preseason poll, North Dakota State was ranked second behind conference favorite South Dakota State.

UP NEXT

Illinois plays at Providence on Wednesday in the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

North Dakota State hosts Valley City State on Wednesday.

(© 2015 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)

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