Champaign, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Rayvonte Rice scored 24 points, leading four starters in double figures, as Illinois took down Georgia Southern, 80-71, in the 2014-15 season opener for both teams.

Also scoring in double figures for the Fighting Illini (1-0) were Aaron Cosby with 16 points, Malcolm Hill 11 and Ahmad Starks with 10 points, although the latter shot a mere 2-of-11 from the floor.

The Eagles (0-1) were led by Jelani Hewitt with 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Trent Wiedeman contributed 17 points and nine rebounds, followed by Angel Matias with 12 points and seven boards in the setback.

Georgia Southern led by as many as three points early in the first half, and even though the visitors shot only 33.3 percent from the floor in the period, they managed to knot the score at the break, 31-31.

In the second half the Eagles made a mere 4-of-17 behind the 3-point line, preventing them from keeping up with Illinois. The Illini gave themselves some separation by hitting on 18-of-21 at the free-throw line after the break.

In addition to turning the ball over 16 times, the Eagles were also outscored at the charity stripe, 27-16.