"Over the course of 40 minutes, I don't think our effort, energy level, our focus was where it has been," coach John Groce said.

Illinois shot a season low 35 percent (21 of 60), made only 6 of 23 3-pointers and hit only 16 of 27 free throws, allowing the Spartans to stay in the game from start to nearly the finish.

"I want to give them credit in the second half," Groce said. "I thought we competed on the defensive end. We found a way to grind it out."

Shannon Ryan