Central Basketball Association

ILLINOIS 117, BALTIMORE 103: (Danville, Ill.) - Almost exactly a year ago today, Baltimore and Illinois squared off against each other in the season debut for both teams in the CBA, where Illinois held off Baltimore in the final seconds to squeak out a one-point victory on their home floor. Tonight, it appeared early that the game would not be as competitive as the year prior. With the teams deadlocked at 25-25 early in the second quarter, Illinois used a 27-9 run in the period to open a double-digit lead by the end of the first half. Soon thereafter, the hosts extended the lead to 21 points, their largest of the game, early in the third quarter. Baltimore; however, would not go away quietly as they used a 14-2 run to cut the deficit to six points later in the period, and with six minutes left in the final frame, the visitors reduced the margin to just five points, 86-81. But from there, Baltimore ran out of gas, as Illinois pulled away with a 9-0 run and cruised to a comfortable double-digit victory. Illinois was led by Denzel Smith with 30 points and Ayron Worthington with 26 points, while Baltimore was led by Aaron Williams with 24 points and Antonio Wright with 17 points. Illinois (1-1) will travel to Indianapolis tomorrow night, while Baltimore (0-2) will conclude their first road trip of the season tomorrow evening, facing the back-to-back defending champions in Fort Wayne.