Augustine propels Illini past Nevada

INDIANAPOLIS -- Luther Head's pass was perfect. James Augustine caught it in full stride and streaked in for a dunk.

That was just the beginning of a big day for the Illinois big men. Augustine scored a career-high 23 points, leading the top-seeded Illini to a 71-59 win over ninth-seeded Nevada on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Nick Fazekas and Kevinn Pinkney couldn't stop Augustine down low. He scored 17 points in the first half, including 11 of the last 13 to give the Illini (34-1) a 34-27 lead at the break.

The Illini broke the game open at the start of the second half, sparked by Augustine's block and steal on consecutive Nevada possessions.

"Everything was bouncing my way," Augustine said. "I know Fazekas is a big prospect and Pinkney is a key to their game, so I wanted to prove something."

Guards Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head combined for 31 points, but most came late in the game as the big guys took center stage. Williams scored five points on free throws down the stretch.

Augustine also grabbed 10 rebounds and finished with four blocks and two steals.

"Our game plan was to have a lot of attention towards the guards and the big man ended up hurting us tonight," Fazekas said. "We didn't expect him to come out and do that."

The Illini reached the regional semifinals for second straight season and the fourth time in the last five. They will play No. 12 seed Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an 83-75 winner over Boston College, on Thursday in the Chicago Regional at Rosemont, Ill.

Williams finished with 15 points and 10 assists.