Illinois

Braylon Mullins elevated UConn’s offense. What’s next is ‘a blessing in itself’

Published

3 months ago

April 4, 2026

Braylon Mullins elevated UConn’s offense. What’s next is ‘a blessing in itself’

INDIANAPOLIS — You can sum up Braylon Mullins’ first Lucas Oil Stadium shooting performance like this: a near-dagger and a tongue-wagger.

Six days after becoming a national name with his last-second, game-winning 3-pointer vs. Duke, Mullins scored 15 points in a 71-62 UConn victory over Illinois. The Huskies will play for their third national championship in four years Monday against either Michigan or Arizona.

It was exactly the scenario Mullins envision when he committed to the Huskies in a ceremony at Greenfield-Central less than 18 months earlier.

“These are the moments you play for, and knowing how far and how long this season has been, just to be a part of the national championship – I think that’s a blessing in itself,” Mullins said.

“But we came here to win, so we’re ready for Monday.”

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Mullins made 4 of 7 from behind the arc – two of which came at crucial junctures.

Last things first. Mullins had missed all five of his shots in a scoreless second half when Illinois’ Keaton Wagler scored with 1:38 remaining. It cut the UConn lead – as high as 14 points with under 10 minutes to play – to 63-59.

After a timeout, UConn’s Alex Karaban missed a late shot clock 3, but Silas Demary Jr. grabbed the rebound. The Huskies reset their offense, and Demary later found Mullins, who hit a 3 from the elbow to make it a seven-point game with 52.1 seconds remaining.

“The play got broken down, and we run sets with under 5, 10 seconds on the shot clock,” Mullins said. “I just saw a little bit of separation, and we work on that shot in practice every day, so it just felt like repetition.”

Wagler responded with a 3 on the ensuing possession. Illinois, however, could never make a basket after cutting the lead to two possessions in the final two minutes.

The double-digit lead UConn opened up in the first half had the Illini chasing all night. Mullins snuck one in before halftime to help the cause.

That possession, off an Illinois turnover, began to run late in the shot clock as well. Mullins was aware of the clock, thought he saw a sliver of daylight and took a deep shot – similar to the one he swished in the Elite Eight.

It bounced off the center of the backboard and through the hoop for a 37-27 UConn lead with 47 seconds left in the half. Mullins headed back up the floor smiling, shaking his head and letting that tongue wag a bit.

“If you see a little window, you’ve gotta shoot it,” Mullins said. “I did not call glass, though – but it went in.”

Mullins scored only two points in 10 minutes when UConn and Illinois played at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 28. It was his collegiate debut after the 2025 IndyStar Mr. Basketball missed the first six games with an ankle injury.

Some of the Huskies’ other trusty shooters struggled Saturday. Demary, Alex Karaban and Jaylin Stewart combined to make 3 of 17. Mullins was a big reason why 3-point shooting became one of the night’s decisive elements. UConn finished 12 of 33, while Illinois made only 6 of 26.

Jayden Ross said teammate Jaylin Stewart called Mullins’ final 3 as they sat together on the bench.

“Sure enough, he came off the pin-down and he knocked it down,” Ross said. “He put us in a great spot to pull away. He just gives us great confidence. But he’s also an unselfish player, and he plays real hard on the defensive end too, so he does a little bit of everything.”

UConn will need Mullins’ clutch abilities one more time.

Nathan Baird is IndyStar’s Purdue insider. Sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter for the best Purdue coverage.

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Illinois

Illinois Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for June 28, 2026

Published

6 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for June 28, 2026

The Illinois Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick-3 numbers from June 28 drawing

Midday: 3-8-6, Fireball: 8

Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 7

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from June 28 drawing

Midday: 0-0-8-3, Fireball: 4

Evening: 9-7-1-8, Fireball: 0

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning LuckyDay Lotto numbers from June 28 drawing

Midday: 04-06-15-16-40

Evening: 05-33-38-43-45

Check LuckyDay Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes up to $600: Claim at an Illinois Lottery retailer, a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim. By mail, send the required documentation to: Illinois Lottery Claims Department, P.O. Box 19080, Springfield, IL.
Prizes from $601 to $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.
Prizes over $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center or by mail.
Appointments Required: Schedule an appointment for in-person claims.
Documentation: Bring a photo ID and Social Security number proof.

When are the Illinois Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky Day Lotto (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky Day Lotto (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto: 9:22 p.m. CT on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Illinois editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Illinois

Four people hospitalized after Joliet police chase ends in crash: officials

Published

16 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Press Room

Four people hospitalized after Joliet police chase ends in crash: officials

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — Four people were hospitalized after a south suburban police chase ended in a crash early Sunday morning, police said.

Joliet police said an officer saw a Cadillac CTS traveling southbound on Raynor Avenue without its headlights or taillights on just before 2 a.m.

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The officer tried to conduct a traffic stop when the Cadillac’s driver, a 21-year-old Joliet man, turned westbound onto Black Road, but he immediately sped away, police said. The officer stopped before reaching Black Road and Midland Avenue due to safety concerns.

Police said the officer and witnesses then saw the Cadillac’s driver run a red light at Black Road and Larkin Avenue, where he collided with a Chevrolet Cruze, which was heading northbound on Larkin on a green light. The crash caused the Cadillac to leave the roadway, strike a utility pole, and overturn in a nearby grassy area.

The Cadillac’s driver, the only person in that vehicle, was extricated and transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said. He was later flown to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

Police said the Chevrolet’s driver, a 23-year-old Chicago man, and two passengers, both men, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were also taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The roadway was closed for several hours while investigators reconstructed the crash scene.

Joliet police are investigating and asked anyone with video footage or information to call them at 815-724-3010.

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Illinois

Southern Illinois Airport Authority celebrates 76 years with ‘Big Bang Birthday Bash’

Published

1 day ago

June 28, 2026

Press Room

Southern Illinois Airport Authority celebrates 76 years with ‘Big Bang Birthday Bash’

CARBONDALE, Ill. (HEARTLAND NEWS) – Aviation enthusiasts, families, and community members soared into a night of celebration as the Southern Illinois Airport Authority marked a major milestone.

The Southern Illinois Airport Authority (SIAA) hosted its Big Bang Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 27, 2026. This celebrating 76 years of aviation history with food, games, community fun and a massive fireworks display.

The festivities began at 6 p.m. at the Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, with fireworks lighting up the night sky after dark.

For more than seven decades, the Southern Illinois Airport has served as a gateway to the region, helping connect Southern Illinois residents to destinations near and far while supporting education, business, and aviation training opportunities.

Organizers invited the public to help celebrate the airport’s 76th birthday with an evening designed for all ages.

Whether guests were longtime aviation fans or simply looking for a fun summer outing, the event promised plenty of runway-worthy entertainment.

The highlight of the evening was a large fireworks display expected to illuminate the skies above the airport after sunset.

Attendees were encouraged to arrive early, set up lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities before the fireworks take flight.

The show will provided a fitting finale to an evening celebrating the airport’s legacy and future.

Visitors also enjoyed food and drink specials from St. Nick’s Restaurant, helping keep guests fueled throughout the celebration.

Games and family-friendly activities were also planned, entertaining children and adults alike.

The birthday bash served as both a celebration of aviation and a thank-you to the community that has supported the airport throughout its history.

Officials say the event offerd a chance to reflect on the airport’s contributions to Southern Illinois while bringing residents together for an evening of summertime fun.

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