Illinois got a three-pointer from Kylan Boswell to beat the first-half buzzer for a 40-35 lead, then tore into Xavier for much of the second half in a 86-73 win in an NCAA Tournament first-round game.

In the South Loop, Illini fans took over Weather Mark Tavern, where the drinks were flowing and a sea of orange and blue overshadowed everything.

Will Riley had 22 points, Kasparas Jakucionis finished one rebound shy of a triple-double and Illinois was perfect from the foul line in an 86-73 NCAA Tournament victory over Xavier on Friday night.