Notre Dame Hands Illinois 84-79 Loss

Malcolm Hill led Illinois with 19 points, while Kendrick Nunn had 13 points and seven rebounds, but Illinois couldn't hold off a hot-shooting second half from Notre Dame in an 84-79 loss on Wednesday.

Steve Vasturia and Demetrius Jackson scored 21 points apiece to bring Notre Dame back from an 8-point halftime deficit.

The night featured the reopening of State Farm Center and a halftime ceremony dedicated to the naming of Lou Henson coach after former Fighting Illini head coach and hall of famer Lou Henson.

Notre Dame had lost two of three coming into the game and fallen out of the Associated Press Top 25.

But a 3-pointer from Vasturia with 1:54 to play put Notre Dame up 72-62.

Illinois rode tough defense and the energy of the first night back in its campus arena to a 41-33 halftime lead.

Zach Auguste added 16 points with 14 rebounds for Notre Dame.