Published: November 09, 2009 12:45 am      

Illini wins final tuneup

CHAMPAIGN — Sunday’s exhibition game between Illinois and Division II Quincy was viewed by most as just a glorified practice.

The game doesn’t count in the standings and only about 7,000 fans showed up at the Assembly Hall.

But that didn’t diminish the experience for former Danville High standout Andreas Coleman or for Billy Hayes, the former point guard at Danville Area Community College.

Coleman and Hayes came off the bench for Quincy, which lost the exhibition game 84-63 to the 23rd-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini.

“This was like a dream come true,’’ said Coleman. “Growing up in the Danville, 25 miles from the Assembly Hall, you were an Illinois fan. You dreamt of playing here someday.’’

It was a similar feeling for Hayes, who went to high school in Chicago.

“Growing up, I remember watching games on TV from here and to now get the chance to play here is unbelievable,’’ he said. “Going from playing Juco ball last year in Danville to playing at the University of Illinois is amazing experience.’’

Coleman and Hayes nearly got more than they expected as the Quincy Hawks led by as much as seven (22-15) in the first half and they were within 51-50 with 11 minutes to go.

“We knew that Illinois is a great team, but this was an opportunity for us,’’ Coleman said. “Our team keeps getting better and better, and that’s what we can take out of this game.’’

Illinois isn’t the only Division I team that has had problems with Quincy.

The Hawks suffered a 75-54 setback to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday in South Bend, Ind.

Quincy also held a lead in the first-half against Notre Dame.

“I wasn’t sure how we would do in these two games, but we have played pretty well,’’ said Hayes, who had four points and three assists in the losing cause. “We learning a lot about ourselves and that should only make us better when we get into our level of competition.’’

The Hawks are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which includes the University of Indianapolis, coached by Danville native Stan Gouard.

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to that game,’’ said Coleman referring the Jan. 2 contest in Indianapolis.

On Sunday, the Fighting Illini finally started hitting on all cylinders in the final 10 minutes.

“It was a learning experience,’’ Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. “I wish it would have been a little smoother … but it didn’t go that way. Now, we can use it as a learning tool.’’

Illinois outscored Quincy 33-13 in the final 10:20 as freshman D.J. Richardson scored 10 of his game-high 23 during that stretch.

Richardson, who is slowly earning the defensive stopper tag, was 9-of-13 from the field and 5-of-8 behind the 3-point arc as the Illini attempted 31 of its 61 shots from behind the arc.

Alex Legion (12), Brandon Paul (11) and Mike Tisdale (10) were the other Illinois players scoring in double digits.

Junior guard Jeff Jordan played 19 minutes with four assists and one rebound, while freshman Joseph Bertrand did not play.

According to Weber, Bertrand has been resting his surgically repaired right knee since Tuesday.

Illinois will kick off its 2009-10 season this Friday at home against SIU-Edwardsville in a 7 p.m. contest at the Assembly Hall.