NEW YORK, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Gary Johnson keyed an eight-point run to start the overtime period Thursday, leading No. 22 Texas to a 90-84 victory over 16th-ranked Illinois.
The Longhorns earned a berth in the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. Texas will meet No. 4 Pittsburgh Friday in Madison Square Garden for the tournament title.
Texas had as much as a nine-point lead early in the second half and a jumper by Cory Joseph put the Longhorns in front by two with 25 seconds left in regulation. Jereme Richmond then forced overtime by making a layup with 13 seconds to go.
The Longhorns, however, dominated the early stages of the extra period. Johnson made two free throws to put Texas in front for good 14 seconds into overtime and Jordan Hamilton hit a layup 32 seconds later.
Johnson added a layup and Tristan Thompson made a turnaround jumper to give Texas an 83-75 cushion with 3:27 remaining.
Hamilton led Texas (3-0) with 25 points and Thompson had 20. Texas almost gave the game away at the foul line, making only 24-of-44 from the stripe.
Demetri McCamey scored 20 points for Illinois (3-1) and D.J. Richardson had 15.
