Tracy Abrams pours in career-high 31 points as Illini cruise past Central Michigan

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Tracy Abrams lost each of the last two seasons before they even got started, his would-be senior year wiped out with preseason injuries. Healthy for the 2016-17 campaign, though, Abrams is making the most of his senior season, now that it's finally arrived.

Saturday, the Illinois point guard exploded for a career-high 31 points, going 7-for-8 from behind the 3-point line as the Illini cruised to a 92-73 win over visiting Central Michigan in Champaign.

It was also a career day for forward Leron Black, who scored 21 points in the victory.

The Illini burst away from a 16-15 deficit with 17 straight points — eight from Abrams and six from Maverick Morgan — to build a huge 16-point edge midway through the first half. That lead hit 19 before Central Michigan rattled off 13 straight points to chop it down to six, but Illinois had a double-digit edge at halftime and opened the second half on a 22-6 run to reach its biggest lead of the game at 26 points. Abrams and Malcolm Hill each accounted for five points during that 22-6 spurt. It was a waltz to the finish line from there.

Illinois was hot shooting the ball, hitting on 53.1 percent of their shots from the floor. Abrams and Black were the stars, going 10-for-12 and 9-for-13, respectively. The Illini held a big rebounding advantage, 49-25, and scored 34 points in the paint, statistical positives that helped atone for the 15 turnovers, which led to 20 Central Michigan points.

Abrams' 31 led the way, and Black was next with his 21. Morgan finished with 11 points. Hill had 10. And Mike Thorne Jr. was a basket away from a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds.

The win sent Illinois to 8-3 on the season and extended its winning streak to four. It was the second-highest scoring output of the year for the Illini, who have two non-conference games remaining against BYU and Missouri before the beginning of Big Ten play.

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