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Illinois tops Colorado in a game of runs and droughts, advance to play Miami in the third round

Colorado v Illinois

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 22: D.J. Richardson #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles past Jeremy Adams #31 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 22, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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In a game of runs and extended droughts, Illinois had the last offensive surge while Colorado once again went cold from the field. The Illini used an 18-5 run to close out a 57-49 second round win against Colorado on Friday night in a 7-10 matchup in the East region.

Illinois were dying by the three to start the second half. The Illini were off the mark on their first 11 3-point attempts. During that stretch, the Illini saw their 16-point halftime lead erased as Colorado got out of its offensive funk, outscoring Illinois 23-2. Illinois trailed 44-42, but in a span of 24 seconds D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul rattled in back-to-back 3-pointers, giving the Illini a 48-44 edge.

Colorado responded to Illinois’ run with a Spencer Dinwiddie score, but for the second time in the game the Buffaloes fell into a long drought. Dinwiddie scored with 5:40 to go; the next field goal made by the Buffaloes was a 3-pointer with :17 seconds remaining from Xavier Johnson. Illinois left the door open for Colorado, as the Illini didn’t score for four minutes.

Colorado ended the first half, being held scoreless for the final 7:05. Illinois scored 13 unanswered heading into the locker room. Askia Booker hit a trio of 3-points in the first four minutes of the second half, sparking the 23-2 run. However, Illinois keyed in on him and held Booker scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Illinois will now direct its attention to No. 2 Miami, who cruised to a victory against Pacific earlier in the day. The shooting woes are a warning sign for the Illini entering the third round matchup, but you can’t question the team’s toughness. They countered a loud run at the start of the second half and were able to regroup and advance. Illinois is familiar and has thrived in tight games, winning seven of eight games decided by five points or less.

Paul led all scorers with 17, Richardson added 13 and Tracy Abrams chipped in 13. As a team Illinois was 8-for-31 from behind the arc (26 percent).

Terrence is also the lead writer at NEHoopNews.com and can be followed on Twitter: @terrence_payne