Illinois Fighting Illini guard Joseph Bertrand (2) rebounds as forward/center Nnanna Egwu (32) looks on during the game against Colorado Buffaloes the first half of the second round in the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Frank Erwin Center. (Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports)
JIM VERTUNO, AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson made consecutive 3-pointers to give Illinois the lead with 6 minutes left and the seventh-seeded Illini pulled out a tough 57-49 win over Colorado in a game of wild momentum swings Friday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Illinois led by 16 at halftime only to watch Colorado rip off a 21-2 run in the second to grab the lead. The Illini looked desperate until Paul and Richardson coolly knocked down their shots to put Illinois ahead 48-44.
Four free throws by Paul eventually put the game away for the Illini (23-12), who will play No. 2 seed Miami on Sunday.
Paul led Illinois with 17 points. Askia Booker scored14 points for Colorado (21-12).
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Associated Press