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Illinois defeats Boise State, 84-77

Dec 6, 2009 - 3:12 AM CHAMPAIGN, Ill.(AP) -- Demetri McCamey made the most of his foul-limited minutes, scoring 23 points to help Illinois escape with an 84-77 win over Boise State on Saturday night.

The Broncos managed to chip away at the Illini's double-digit second-half lead, using a 13-4 run to get within two points with 20 seconds left in the game.

Illinois (6-2) converted all six of its free-throw attempts in the final seconds to seal the win.

The Illini offense struggled with McCamey and center Mike Tisdale in foul trouble and on the bench in the first half. McCamey played just nine minutes and Tisdale seven in the first half. McCamey played 26 minutes in the game, going 8-for-11 from the field.

Forward Mike Davis picked up the slack, scoring 10 of his 16 points in the first half while grabbing seven of his team-high 12 rebounds.

Ike Okoye led the Broncos (4-3) with 20 points and nine rebounds. LaShard Anderson scored 14, Robert Arnold had 13 and Anthony Thomas 10 for Boise State.

Illini freshman D.J. Richardson scored seven straight points to give Illinois an early 14-11 lead. Richardson finished with 14 points and four assists. Tisdale and Brandon Paul scored 10 points apiece.

The teams traded points for most of the half, with no team leading by more than five points.