Giorgi Bezhanishvili sets Illinois freshman scoring record in win over Rutgers

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Freshman big man Giorgi Bezhanishvili scored a career-high 35 points — 29 of them coming in the second half — to lead Illinois to a 99-94 overtime win over Rutgers on Saturday.

It was the third consecutive win for Illinois (9-15, 5-8 Big Ten Conference), and the fourth in its last five games. The Illini beat No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday.

Bezhanishvili’s free throw put Illinois up 93-92 in overtime, his jumper on the next possession made it 95-92 with two minutes left, and the Illini outscored the Scarlet Knights 4-2 from there.

Bezhanishvili scored 29 of his 35 points in the second half. His total broke the Illinois freshman single-game scoring record, set by Deon Thomas in 1990.

Thomas and Bezhanishvili met at midcourt at the buzzer and hugged for several seconds.

“We just got the big boy the ball and rode those shoulders of his for 29 second-half points,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. Trent Frazier added 17 points and Ayo Dosunmu 12.

Caleb McConnell led the Scarlet Knights with 25 points. Montez Mathis scored 17 and Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker added 15 each. Eugene Omoruyi grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for Rutgers (11-12, 4-9).

“They scored on all of our sets, zone and man-to-man,” said Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell. “They play differently than a lot of other teams. I give them credit, but I give our guys credit, too. We both have young programs and I am so very proud of my team,”

Illinois was 36 of 73 from the field for 49-percent shooting, while Rutgers went 37-79 (51 percent).

Both teams kept pace in the first half, trading leads until Rutgers jumped ahead on a layup by Myles Johnson with 2:59 left before the break.

The Scarlet Knights led 45-42 at halftime.

BIG PICTURE

Illinois and Rutgers came into Saturday’s game tied for 10th place in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights were coming off losses to Ohio State and Michigan. The Scarlet Knights have played three of their last four games on the road and were seeking to earn two conference roads wins for the first time since joining the Big Ten in 2014.

The Illini were fresh off a 79-74 home win over No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday, which saw Illinois force 24 Spartan turnovers. It was Illinois’ second Top 25 win after beating No. 13 Maryland on the road. Illinois ranks second nationally in strength of schedule, according to KenPom.

POPCORN ENERGY?

Asked after the game how he played so well, Bezhanishvili thought a second and then said, “I like popcorn. Do you like popcorn? I had some before the game when I felt low energy. Maybe that was it?”

Along with popcorn, the country of Georgia native and Illinois crowd favorite also credited having his brother visiting the past week.

“Family is everything to me,” Bezhanishvili said. “I have a small family and they mean the world to me. Having my brother here the past three games, I can’t even explain how much that means to me. And, we won all three of them.”

TOUGH DAY

Pikiell’s mother passed away on Saturday morning, and yet he decided to coach the game.

“We sometimes forget this is only a game,” Underwood said. “I want Steve to know our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. We’re thinking of him on a really, really tough day.”

HE SAID IT

Underwood on Bezhanishvili: “It’s hard not to like Giorgi, his passion and confidence. We knew his IQ when we signed him, his feel and abilities. I mean, his feet are just phenomenal. I guess it pays to take dance class.”

UP NEXT

Rutgers travels to Northwestern on Wednesday.

Illinois plays at Ohio State on Thursday.