LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rayvonte Rice scored a career-high 25 points, including the winning layup with 27 seconds left to lead Illinois past UNLV 61-59 on Tuesday night.
Rice, a redshirt junior, also had a career high 10 rebounds to lead Illinois (6-0), which has not lost in its last 25 November games.
UNLV had a chance to win, but Kevin Olekaibe’s desperation 3-pointer from the right corner rattled off the rim for the Rebels (2-3), who were held scoreless in the final 4:16.
Khem Birch led the Rebels with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Bryce Dejean-Jones added 11 points, while Olekaibe had 10. Nnanna Egwu added 12 points for Illinois.
