Nov. 16--Illinois was in danger of dropping its second-straight game to start the season, trailling North Dakota State at halftime before staging a desperate comeback Sunday for an 80-74 victory.
The Illini trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half and had a 10-point led midway through the second half before Illinois turned up the heat. The Illini used a 20-5 run late in the second half to take its first lead since the opening bucket.
Mike Thorne Jr., a transfer from Charlotte in his debut season with the Illini, was dominant again with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Freshman Jalen Coleman-Lands has a critical stretch with eight of nine points to open the second half and finished with 15 points.
The Bison made seven first-half 3-pointers but hit just three more after halftime.
The Illini were without Jaylon Tate, the sophomore point guard who discloated his finger in Friday's opener.
Forward Leron Black, who sat out of the opener while he recovers from knee surgery, returned to game action and finished with five points and five rebounds.
