ST. LOUIS – Kasparas Jakucionis scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 28 seconds left, and Illinois defeated Missouri 80-77 on Sunday in the annual Braggin’ Rights game between the non-conference rivals.
Illinois held the lead for nearly 30 minutes of play, but a late rally by Missouri took the game to the wire. An 11-0 run capped by Trent Pierce’s layup gave the Tigers a 68-67 lead with about 4 minutes remaining.
Jakucionis hit a straight-on 3-pointer for a 75-72 Illinois lead with 2 minutes left, but Missouri’s Tamar Bates hit a wide-open 3 in transition to tie it at 75 with 1:14 to go .
After the teams traded free throws, Jakucionis, a freshman who has had six straight 20-point games, drove down the right side of the line, stopped, spun and hit a turnaround jumper to put Illinois ahead 79-77 with 28 seconds left.
After a miss by Missouri, Kylan Boswell made one of two free throws for a three-point lead. Jacob Crews missed a three-pointer that could have tied the game for Missouri.
Boswell made 11 of 12 free throws and Jakucionis went 8 for 8 for Illinois, which was 22 of 23 from the line. Missouri made 28 free throws but shot just 76% from the line. There are a total of 43 errors in the game.
Boswell had 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Illinois (8-3). Tre White scored 13 and Tomislav Ivisic had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Mark Mitchell and Tony Perkins each scored 18 points and Bates had 17 for Missouri (10-2), which ended its 10-game winning streak.
Illinois will host Chicago State on December 29 and Missouri will host Alabama on December 30.
