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David Mirkovic scores 22 points to help No. 11 Illinois to a 78-72 victory over Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — David Mirkovic had 22 points and 11 rebounds as No. 11 Illinois held off Maryland 78-72 on Sunday.

The Terrapins (11-20, 4-16 Big Ten) have had a desultory season under first-year coach Buzz Williams, losing 20 games for the first time since 1988-89, but they gave the Illini (24-7, 15-5) a battle. Illinois led 63-62 before Ben Humrichous made a 3-pointer that started a 7-0 run for the Illini.

The Terps pulled back within two, but a successful challenge of an out-of-bounds call enabled the Illini to keep the ball with 1:04 to play. Mirkovic worked free for a layup inside, and Maryland’s next possession went about as badly as possible when the Terrapins used most of the shot clock before Andre Mills misfired from 3-point range.

Maryland was down four in the final seconds when Darius Adams was unable to convert a layup.

The win gave Illinois a bye into Friday’s quarterfinals in the Big Ten Tournament. The Illini also tied a program record with their eighth road win in Big Ten play.

Mills scored 30 points for the Terps, who finished one game ahead of Penn State for last place in the conference. Adams added 14 points and Diggy Coit contributed 10.

Illinois won despite shooting 5 of 24 from 3-point range. Kylan Boswell and Keaton Wagler scored 11 points apiece.

Up next

Illinois: Awaits its quarterfinal opponent in the conference tournament.

Maryland: As the No. 17 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, the Terps will play in the event’s opening game Tuesday against 16th-seeded Oregon.

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Hawkeyes are set to play Vanderbilt in a November women’s basketball game in Sioux City, Iowa

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Vanderbilt and Iowa, both ranked in the top 10 late last season, will meet in a women's basketball game early next season in northwest Iowa, the schools announced Tuesday. The neutral-site game is set for Nov. 15 at the Tyson Events Center, which is 290 miles from Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Vanderbilt is 4-0 all-time against the Hawkeyes. This will be the teams' first meeting since 1997. The Commodores are expected to return national scoring leader Mikayla Blakes. She averaged 27 points per game and was Southeastern Conference player of the year. Vanderbilt was ranked as high as No. 5 and finished No. 10 with a 29-5 record after reaching the NCAA Sweet 16.
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