Then it seemed Illinois might flip the script with a concerted interior effort in the second half against the Scarlet Knights – similar to how they pulled off a comeback win over Ohio State on Sunday.

Ace Bailey caught the outlet pass from fellow Chattanooga native Jamichael Davis, and with no Illinois defender in sight, the star Rutgers freshman threw down a vicious dunk and held on to the rim for dramatic effect.

Dylan Harper returned to score 28 points, fellow freshman Ace Bailey added 18 points and 11 rebounds and Rutgers beat No. 23 Illinois 82-73 on Wednesday night.