SAN DIEGO, March 17 (UPI) -- Jamar Smith had 20 points and three rebounds Thursday night as Illinois beat Air Force, 78-69, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at San Diego.
The contest was part of the Oakland Region.
Smith, a reserve, went 6-for-9 on three-point attempts.
Brian Randle added 15 points and seven rebounds; James Augustine added 10 points, two rebounds and two assists; and Dee Brown had eight points and 10 assists for the fourth-seeded Fighting Illini (26-6), who won for the ninth straight year in the first round.
Antoine Hood had 17 points and six assists; while Matt McCraw, Jacob Burtschi and Dan Nwaelele all scored 13 points for the 13th-seeded Falcons, who finished their season at 24-7.
Air Force used a 7-0 burst early in the second half to trim its deficit to one point, 39-38. Illinois easily out-rebounded the Falcons, 28-14.
