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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois needed a career-high performance from Malcolm Hill to outlast Northern Kentucky 79-64 on Sunday night.The senior scored a career-high 40 points and brought down 12 rebounds to help Illinois (2-0) fight through a first half where the Illini trailed 33-31 at halftime and struggled to hold off the Norse off until the end.It was something I was working on over the summer, Hill said. This is just one of the games that showed a lot of the hard work and dedication that Ive put into my 3-point shot.The Illini shot 44 percent from the field but were 20-30 from the free-throw line.Michael Finke also scored in double figures, adding 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini.Illinois coach John Groce credited his veteran team for the polite conversation at halftime to change the teams energy and focus.Our seniors responded big time in the second half, he said. I thought we came out with a lot more aggressiveness, a lot more attacking mentality.Lavone Holland II led Northern Kentucky (1-1) with 13 points, which kept the Norse in the game until the final eight minutes.The Norse held a 43-32 rebound advantage despite Northern Kentuckys tallest players being 6-foot-7.Northern Kentucky was sloppy with the ball for most of the game, committing 18 turnovers that led to 21 Illinois points.Our youth showed when things went bad and I thought their veteran leadership showed with their run, Northern Kentucky coach John Brannen said.BIG PICTUREIllinois: The Illini will have a lot to work on despite the win. They will have a few games to work out the kinks before tougher opponents appear on the schedule.Northern Kentucky: The Norse can hold their heads up despite the loss. Northern Kentucky competed well throughout the game against a Big Ten opponent.TURNING POINTIllinois and Northern Kentucky exchanged baskets and the lead for much of the start of the second half until Hill took over. He scored 29 points in the half and helped put the game away.HIGHLIGHT REELTracy Abrams got the State Farm Center crowd excited when he came from behind to block a Drew McDonald fast break layup.UP NEXTIllinois will play its third game in five nights when the Illini host McKendree on Tuesday night.Northern Kentucky will try to rebound after its first loss of the season on Friday when the Norse play Austin Peay in the Tarkett Sports Classic in Oxford, Ohio.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.orgBaltimore Orioles Pro Shop . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Baltimore Orioles Shirts . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Baltimore Orioles Store . The 27-year-old Scrivens will be joining his third NHL club since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2010. The move also reunites with him with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies. Baltimore Orioles Gear . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p.Lance Franklin says he now tries to make every AFL kick for goal count, after revealing he was previously blase about his approach to the codes most valuable skill.Sydney forward Franklin has kicked more goals that any other present AFL player with his tally of 780 placing him 12th on the all time list.He has kicked 74 this season, putting him second in the Coleman Medal, six goals behind West Coasts Josh Kennedy.The last year-and-a-half to two years, Ive really given it (kicking for goal) a little more thought, because I feel that if youre going to have five or six shots a game, or whatever it is, you really want to make it count, Franklin said on Monday.Probably when I was a little bit younger I was a bit blase, I didnt really care about it too much.But the last couple of years Ive really tried to concentrate on it and make every kick count.A year after missing the finals because of a mental health issue Franklin is clearly in a happier frame of mind and excited about returning to the codes biggest stage.Yeah, its been nice, its been a great year and everything is going along really well, Im just looking forward to finals, Franklin said.He attributed his strong form to having his first full pre-season in three years at Sydney.Thats really helped me and pput me in good stead for the season so far, Franklin said.ddddddddddddThe first couple of years (at Sydney) Id play and then I wasnt able to train, just because I hadnt done a pre-season.It just takes you a little bit longer to recover.On the back of having a good pre-season Ive been able to back it up and train during the week which helps.He is revelling in directing a youthful forward line made up primarily of first and second year players and converted midfielders.Ive really enjoyed that role of being a leader amongst the forward line, he said.The best thing about these young boys is they want to listen and they want to learn and every game they are growing.Franklin has kicked almost three times as many goals this season than any other Swan, but pointed out four of his teammates had booted at least 20, while another has kicked 19.He rates fellow Swan Isaac Heeney as one of the best young players he has seen.The way he launches at a ball for a guy that is 184 centimetres is unbelievable and hes got a great set of hands, Franklin said.Hes a kid that always wants to learn and he wants to get better and I love playing with him. 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