Greg Echlin | For 90.5 WESA

The Fighting Illini lit up the scoreboard for 50 points in the opening half en route to their 89-63 victory, leaving Duquesne shell-shocked in its season-ending loss.

The Duquesne Dukes are preparing to play in a first-round game against Brigham Young University at 12:40 p.m. Thursday.

The Panthers (29-5) have never beaten the Huskers in 14 all-time meetings, including a loss to the Huskers in a national semi two years ago in Columbus, Ohio.

To break down the door that leads to the national title match, the Panthers must defeat Nebraska — the tournament's top-ranked team — on Thursday night in Tampa, Florida. The national title match is set for Sunday afternoon.