Illinois beats Morehead State to advance in NCAA Tournament behind Marcus Domask’s triple-double
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OMAHA, Neb. (WCIA) — Illinois basketball is moving on in the NCAA Tournament after beating Morehead State 85-69 in the first round of the Big Dance Thursday afternoon at CHI Health Center. The Illini (27-8) made history in the process, with Marcus Domask becoming the first player in program history and just the 10th in NCAA Tournament history to record a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
"It's a great accomplishment but at this point in my career I'm really past all the personal accolades, at this point in March, it's all about winning"
Marcus Domask nets the 10th triple-double in NCAA tourney history with 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists beating Morehead St. pic.twitter.com/spy7c4cAkE— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) March 21, 2024
That wasn’t the only history made either. Terrence Shannon Jr. set the new single season scoring record for the Illini, finishing with 26 points, including 19 in the first half alone. The senior passed Don Freeman’s record that had stood since 1966.
"Success doesn't surprise me when you work as hard as Terrence does"
Terrence Shannon Jr. sets the new #Illini single season scoring record (669), passing Don Freeman's mark that had stood since 1966
"He's one of the best players in the country and he's been proving that" pic.twitter.com/vWOIUFEgY6— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) March 21, 2024
Up by one at halftime, Illinois outscored Morehead St. 46-31 in the second half to pull away. Dain Dainja was a big factor in that stretch, scoring 17 of his season high 21 points in the final 20 minutes. That included a stretch where he scored nine-straight points for the Illini and 13 of 16.
"I just want to do whatever it takes to help the team win"
Dain Dainja was dominant in the 2nd half scoring 17 of his season high 21 points in the final 20, finished game 9-for-9 from the field
"His presence, his physicality. We're not winning a B1G championship without him" pic.twitter.com/zhavCY7gGT— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) March 21, 2024
Illinois advances to face No. 11 Duquesne on Saturday after the Dukes posted an upset win over No. 6 BYU earlier in the day in Omaha. Game time TBD in the second round match-up.
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