PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Dylan Harper returned to score 28 points, fellow freshman Ace Bailey added 18 points and 11 rebounds and Rutgers beat No. 23 Illinois 82-73 on Wednesday night.
Harper made 11 of 12 free throws and had six rebounds and five assists after missing a 66-63 home loss to Michigan on Saturday because of a sprained ankle.
Jeremiah Williams scored 13 points to help Rutgers (12-11, 5-7 Big Ten) beat a ranked team for the first time since last February against then-No. 9 Wisconsin. The Scarlet Knights have won two of three.
Will Riley led Illinois (15-8, 7-6) with 20 points, Ben Humrichous added 14 and Morez Johnson Jr. 11 for the Illini, who have lost four of six.
Rutgers raced to a 23-6 advantage, with Illinois taking its first lead at 48-47 with 13 minutes, 6 seconds to play.
Takeaways
Illinois: The Illini were 6 of 28 from 3-point range. They have not topped 30% in six straight games.
Rutgers: Bailey is fourth on the Scarlet Knights season scoring list.
Key moment
Harper had a steal and hit a 3-pointer to give Rutgers a 66-62 lead with 6:34 left.
Key stat
Rutgers made 28 of 34 free throws.
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Up next
Illinois is at Minnesota on Saturday. Rutgers is at No. 18 Maryland on Sunday.