Dec 21, 2001

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Cedrick Banks scored 11 of his career-high 24 points on free throws in the final 1:31 of play Friday as Illinois-Chicago beat Southwest Missouri State 86-80 in the third round of the Las Vegas Classic.

Banks made 12-of-13 free throws overall including eight without a miss in the last 27 seconds to keep the Flames safely ahead.

Jordan Kardos added 14 points and Jon-Pierre Mitchom came off the bench to score 10 for Illinois-Chicago (7-3), which has won two of three in the eight-team tournament that finishes Saturday.

Terrance McGee led Southwest Missouri State (4-6) with 18 points. Mike Wallace scored 14 and Daniel Novak added 12 for the Bears, who has won one of three in the tournament.

Southwest Missouri State lost despite making 28-of-50 shots (56 percent). The Flames made five fewer field goals, but went 31-of-39 from the foul line to 14-of-20 for the Bears.

Illinois-Chicago led 78-75 when Southwest Missouri State's Tamarr Maclin fouled Banks with 27 seconds remaining. It was 82-80 before Banks completed the scoring with his last four free throws.

Illinois-Chicago went ahead for good with 7:51 to play in the first half on a 3-point shot by Mitchom, giving the Flames a 22-21 lead. It was 37-32 at halftime, and the winners led by as many as 12 points in the second half.