Terrence Shannon's Big Ten Tourney-Record 40 Points Leads Illinois Past Nebraska

The Illinois Fighting Illini rally from 15 points behind Terrence Shannon to defeat Nebraska. They will play the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten title game Sunday

Perhaps the Illinois Fighting Illini just need a wakeup call in the second half. 

For a second straight day, the Illini looked out of before coming alive. They rallied from a 15-point, second-half deficit to defeat Nebraska 98-87 Saturday in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament. They play Wisconsin, which upset top seed, in Sunday's title game. 

The Illini were led by guard Terrence Shannon, who finished with a career-high 40 points. It was also a Big Ten Tournament record. He was 11 of 22 from the field and 13 of 16 from the free throw line.

Shannon was key when it looked like they were all but out of it. They trailed 55-40 early in the second half but got back into the game with a 12-2 run. Luke Goode hit a corner 3-pointer to tie the score at 68 before banking another one from the top of the arc to give the Illini a 71-70 lead with 8 minutes, 20 seconds remaining. 

It was evident the Illini turned up the defensive pressure in the second half. Nebraska had its way in the early goings, taking an 11-point lead into halftime. Things got worse when the Cornhuskers scored the first four points of the second half. 

For a second straight game, the Illini closed strong. They trailed Ohio State Friday in the quarterfinals by 10 in the second half before recovering and holding on for the victory. 

Now, the Illini get an opportunity to improve their seeding in the NCAA Tournament if they can defeat the Badgers at Target Center. Wisconsin outlasted the Boilermakers on the strength Chucky Hepburn's basket with under five seconds remaining. 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com