Illinois 76; Minnesota 70

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Sean Harrington hit three of his six three-pointers Tuesday night as No. 11 Illinois held off Minnesota, 76-70.

In a span of less than two minutes, Harrington hit the treys to keep the Illini grounded in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Harrington, the top three-point shooter in the Big Ten at just under 53 percent, finished with a career-high 22 points. His last trey gave Illinois (11-1) the lead for good at 70-67 with 2:24 to play.

Illinois posted its ninth straight victory over Minnesota (8-4), and has won three straight since suffering its only loss at Memphis on Dec. 28.

The Golden Gophers erased a 62-55 deficit to tie the contest at 67-67 on two free throws by Maurice Hargrow with 2:37 left.

Harrington answered with a jumper from the left corner, and the Golden Gophers managed only one basket thereafter.

Luther Head and freshman Dee Brown gave Minnesota a chance by each missing a pair of foul shots in the final minute, but Minnesota's hopes ended when Ben Johnson missed a three-pointer with nine seconds left and the Illini holding a 74-70 lead.

Brian Cook, who finished with 25 points, made a pair from the line with seven seconds left to cap the scoring.

Michael Bauer scored 17 points for Minnesota. Rick Rickert added 12, but was held to just three in the second half.

With Cook on the bench in foul trouble, Hargrow converted two foul shots to give the Golden Gophers a 46-42 lead with 13:05 to play. Harrington drilled three-pointers on each of Illinois' next three possessions, giving the Illini a 51-46 lead with 11:23 remaining.