HONOLULU – D.J. Richardson drained a 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer, capping a comeback from a 16-point second-half deficit and giving Illinois a wild 78-77 victory over Hawaii on Friday night.
Richardson's buzzer-beater followed one by Hawaii's Vander Joaquim, who hit a jumper at the end of regulation to force overtime. Before that, Brandon Paul's basket with 2:08 to play had given the Illini (3-0) their first lead of the game.
The teams traded baskets in the extra session before Jace Tavita made one of two free throws to give the Warriors (3-1) a 77-75 lead with 7 seconds left and set the scene for Richardson, who finished with 16 points.
Brandon Paul scored 25 points, including five 3-pointers, for Illinois, and Tracy Abrams added 22. The Illini improved to 7-0 against Hawaii.
Joaquim led the Warriors with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Brandon Spearman added 20 points and nine boards.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.