College Basketball Roundup : Illinois Streak Survives Two Overtimes, 103-92

The climb from No. 2 to No. 1 took a lot longer than Illinois planned.

The second-ranked Illini, expected to be voted No. 1 today, needed double overtime Sunday to score a 103-92 victory over Georgia Tech at Champaign, Ill.

Coach Lou Henson, who has played down the importance of rankings to his team, said, “It’s nice to be No. 1. Sure, I feel good about it, but I’m just thinking about our team and what we have to do the rest of the season.”

Illinois (17-0), the only undefeated team in Division I, is in line for the No. 1 spot after top-ranked Duke lost twice last week.

The Illini, which rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit, outscored the Yellow Jackets, 21-10, in the second overtime.

However, Illinois guard Kendall Gill broke a bone in his foot and is expected to be out for 7 weeks.

Georgia Tech (11-5) dominated the first half, taking a 45-31 lead, but the Illini stormed back.

Steve Bardo put Illinois ahead, 70-69, on a 3-pointer with 3:22 left in regulation, but Georgia Tech’s Tom Hammonds scored with 30 seconds left to tie the score, 74-74, and send the game into overtime.

Bardo kept Illinois in the game, hitting 4 free throws to tie it, 82-82, and force the second overtime.

Illinois went on a 15-2 surge in the second overtime, taking a 97-84 lead with 1:23 left.

Kenny Battle scored 25 points for Illinois and Dennis Scott had 29 points for Tech.

Louisville 92, UNLV 74--Pervis Ellison scored 28 points and the fourth-ranked Cardinals downed 10th-ranked Nevada Las Vegas at Louisville for their 13th straight victory.

Louisville (13-2) had a 59-36 lead with 14:40 left, but the Rebels (13-3) went on a 25-7 run to get within 66-61 with 8:26 left.

Tony Kimbro sank a free throw and LaBradford Smith made 2 after a technical foul on the Las Vegas bench. Kenny Payne hit a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 77-63 with 5:35 remaining.

Seton Hall 108, New Hampshire College 67--Andrew Gaze hit five 3-point shots and scored 20 points as the 12th-ranked Pirates overwhelmed the Penmen at South Orange, N.J.

John Morton added 20 points for Seton Hall (17-1), and Carlos Baez had 20 for New Hampshire (11-5).