Rayvonte Rice scored 23 and led Illinois to a badly needed win over Nebraska Wednesday, 69-57.
The Illini (19-11, 9-8 Big Ten) have won two straight as they look for a way into the NCAA tournament.
Nebraska (13-16, 5-12) has lost seven games in a row and nine of its last 10.
Rice had a quiet six-point first half but scored 17 in the second 20 minutes. That included seven straight over a key stretch midway through the half that brought Illinois back from a 40-39 deficit to a 46-42 lead.
He drilled home a long 3-pointer with 1:35 left in the game to give Illinois a 59-50 lead.
Kendrick Nunn and Leron Black added 11 each for Illinois.
Shavon Shields led Nebraska with 14 points. Terran Petteway added 13.
