Illinois beats Iowa to claim a share of 2021-22 Big Ten regular season title
Illinois vs Iowa was not only a battle of ranked teams but there also was the Big Ten regular-season title on the line as well.
The Illinois Fighting Illini beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 74-72. The Hawkeyes were led by Keegan Murray. Murray scored 22 points on 31 percent shooting. Additionally, Murray had 11 rebounds. The Fighting Illini were led by Kofi Cockburn 21 points on 52 percent shooting. Additionally, Cockburn had 14 rebounds.
After Illinois took a small lead to start the game, Iowa took control of the game. With around three minutes left, Iowa had a 15 point lead. After Andre Curbelo made a three, Illinois went on a 6-0 run (not including Curbelo three in the scoring run) This made the game a 6-point game going into halftime.
After Alfonso Plummer baited a defender into fouling him at the three-point line, Illinois took the lead. Iowa quickly responded and went on a 9-0 scoring run. Iowa took a lead of five points with around 13 minutes left. They responded by making it a four-point game with around 11 minutes left after an open RJ Melendez three.
Illinois took the lead with seven minutes left from a Coleman Hawkins three. Murray retook the lead for Iowa about a minute later. The lead switched hands again when Cockburn made a jumper. It seemed Illinois had the game in hand with a minute left. The Fighting Illini had a five-point lead and the ball and made a layup but the shot clock ran out.
Tony Perkins drove to the basket and made a nice layup. Additionally, he got fouled. Perkins made the free throw and Iowa got a defensive stop. With 20 seconds left, the Hawkeyes had the ball down two. Jordan Bohannon got the ball. Murray set a screen and popped to the top of the key. Murray got fouled and got three free throws. Murray went 1 of 3 from the floor.
Iowa had to foul Illinois on the next possession. The Hawkeyes got lucky as Da’ Monte Williams missed one of his two free throws. After moving the ball around, Murray got a good shot to win the game. Murray missed the shot and Illinois took the victory.
This victory allowed the Fighting Illini a share of the big ten regular-season title. Additionally, Illinois is the one seed in the Big Ten Tournament because of this victory. Illinois will face the winner of Indiana/Michigan in the quarterfinals.
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The Iowa Hawkeyes are the Fifth seed in the Big Ten Tournament with this loss. The Hawkeyes will face the winner of Nebraska/Northwestern in the second round. Iowa will be expected to beat either of these teams in the second round. If the Hawkeyes can win in the second round, they will face Rutgers in the quarterfinals.