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Despite going on a nine-minute scoring drought that their lead cut from 20 to 5, Illinois held off Missouri to capture their third straight Braggin' Rights trophy. Malcolm Hill, Kendrick Nunn put the game on ice down the stretch, and the Illini pulled away with the win. Here's a tweet recap of how it went down, including the celebration that ensued afterwards:
Kendrick Nunn set the tone early with two monster jams, and a huge block on defense. He was on #SCTop10 twice last night (No. 10, No. 3 plays). Illinois would take a 41-27 lead into the half.
Kendrick Nunn = https://t.co/gzqN1i09Yp
— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) December 24, 2015
Then after a nine minute scoring drought Malcolm Hill brought the Illini back.
Symptoms of clutch 3's may include the bench losing control of their mouths. https://t.co/bHczwy44uH
— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) December 24, 2015
Malcolm Hill nails a HUGE 3PT and the #Illini lead 55-47 with 4:56 to play.
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) December 24, 2015
Mizzou would get it all the way down to three points before Illinois pulled away late.
The Celebration
We quickly changed our Twitter logo:
We did it! #BragginRights pic.twitter.com/Lf35lDnM4a
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) December 24, 2015
The players took the trophy once again:
Keeping this home for the third straight year! #Illini #BragginRights pic.twitter.com/jIuxzOkzb2— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) December 24, 2015
Everyone noted that the team is, finally, gaining at least little momentum:
After its win in the #BragginRights game, Illinois is now 4-1 in its last 5 games decided by <5 points. #Illini
— Steve Bourbon (@steve_bourbon) December 24, 2015
#illini Hill: I'm happy for the team. We're on a 5-game win streak. Had some ups and downs. We've taken a step forward. Have to close games
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) December 24, 2015
#illini Hill: Happy to be back home. Get a few days off. I'm just happy we go into B1G home game with some momentum. — Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) December 24, 2015
Coach Groce dabbed:
#BragginRights Win = Happy #Illini Locker Room. https://t.co/jqoWxi57P5
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) December 24, 2015
And a gif look:
@OrangeBlueCraze @TheGroceReport @Champaign_Room @IlliniMBB I got u pic.twitter.com/wXj0591nzc
— A.G. Fish (@fishangelous) December 24, 2015
Let's get this viral, people
Illini_triller danced:
JUMPMAN - Squad pic.twitter.com/aJ4B9DYtsT
— Illinibball Players (@illini_triller) December 24, 2015
Malcolm Hill ordered all of you to get #GroceDab viral:
@illini_triller Illini fans tag ESPN and get Groce dance moves viral!! @espn @BigTenNetwork
— Malcolm Hill (@Malcolmillini21) December 24, 2015
Mike LaTulip offered some postgame thoughts:
Couple thoughts from last night: 1. We still don't know why hill took his jersey off. 2. @NunnBetter_ is the best chase-down blocker ever
— Mike LaTulip (@MLaTulip_5) December 24, 2015
And one last look at the games Kendrick and Malcolm had:
#ILLINIGRAPH | @Malcolmillini21 & @NunnBetter_ carry #Illini to 3rd straight #BragginRights W & 5th straight ovrall pic.twitter.com/GKaY3JAamJ
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) December 24, 2015
One more note from last night: Malcolm Hill (18.7 PPG) is now leading the #B1G in scoring average. Denzel Valentine in 2nd (18.5 PPG).
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) December 24, 2015
*****
Follow The Champaign Room on Twitter at @Champaign_Room and like us on Facebook. You can follow Bryce Smith on Twitter at @OrangeBlueCraze.