Paris Lee scored 24 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Illinois State to an 81-72 win over Saint Joseph's on Sunday.

 

Deontae Hawkins added 21 points to go with eight rebounds, MiKyle McIntosh had 14 points and Phil Fayne 10 for Illinois State (6-3), which remains undefeated on its home court this season. Lee shot 8 for 11 from the field, hitting 4 of 6 from long range, and sank all four free throw attempts.

 

Illinois State led 41-27 at the break but had to hold off a Saint Joseph's surge in the second half that twice cut the deficit to five. The Redbirds responded with a 9-2 spurt that included 3-pointers from Hawkins and Lee to stretch the advantage to 57-45 with 8:47 left and hung on from there.

 

Shavar Newkirk led Saint Joseph's (5-5) with 21 points and Charlie Brown added 14.

 

>>Abrams Helps Illinois Hold On Against BYU

 

Tracy Abrams scored 15 points and Maverick Morgan had 14 points and 10 rebounds as Illinois held off BYU 75-73 on Saturday night at the United Center.

Eric Mika led BYU with 25 points in the second game of the State Farm Chicago Legends doubleheader.

 

Jalen Coleman-Lands had 12 points and Michael Finke and Malcolm Hill 10 apiece for the Illini (9-3), who have won five straight.

 

BYU (7-4) shot just 43 percent from the field after averaging 85.8 points on the strength of its transition game. Nick Emery added 16 points and TJ Haws 10 for the Cougars.

 

Illinois made 10 of 26 3s.