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LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- Sean Harrington hit the game-tying free throws and a go-ahead 3-pointer as second-ranked Illinois held off Southern Illinois, 75-72, in the title game of the Las Vegas Invitational. Southern Illinois took a 68-64 lead on two free throws by Stetson Hairston with 5:49 remaining in the second half. But Illinois went on a 7-0 spurt, capped by Harrington's two free throws with 3:02 left that tied the game and his 3-pointer less than 30 seconds later that gave the Fighting Illini the lead for good. The Salukis twice closed within one point, the last time on a dunk by Rolan Roberts that made the score 73-72 with 10 seconds left. Cory Bradford was immediately fouled and converted both free throws to seal Illinois' first regular-season tournament victory since capturing the San Juan Shootout in November, 1994. Harrington finished with 14 points and Frank Williams added 19 for the Illini, who are 5-0 to start a season for the first time since it won its first nine games in the 1995-96 season. "That was Southern Illinois' Super Bowl," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "We got their 'A' game. If they would have beaten us, it would not have been a huge upset. They're a well-coached team." Illinois defeated Southern Illinois for the second time in as many meetings and is 94-12 all-time against in-state colleges in non-conference play. Since 1974, the Illini are 39-3 against non-Big Ten in-state schools. Williams scored 23 points and Roberts contributed 12 and eight rebounds for the Salukis (4-1), who trailed 43-37 after the first half. "Our kids believed we could win," Southern Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "We played our butts off but it wasn't quite good enough. We've just got to build on this good effort and get better and smarter." Hairston had 10 points and eight rebounds as Southern Illinois shot 46 percent (27-for-59) from the field, but made only 4-of-15 from 3-point range. Brian Cook had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Bradford chipped in 10 points for Illinois, which shot 38 percent (23-for-60) but converted 25-of-33 from the free-throw line and held a 42-35 rebounding edge. The Illini outscored Southern Illinois, 10-3, to start the game and took their largest lead, 41-29, on a 3-pointer by Bradford with 3:51 left in the first half.
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