Griffey's 3 saves Illini

"Credit Gardner-Webb for how hard they played," Groce said. "They were the tougher team for the bulk of the game, they executed better than we did for the bulk of the game. And their toughness was outstanding.

"They deserved it. They did. But having said that, we're not going to give it back.

"The one thing I will say is that our older guys stepped up. Seniors die hard. And our seniors and Joseph Bertrand made big plays."

Tupper