Freshman D.J. Richardson scored 23 points and No. 23 Illinois overcame a sluggish start to beat Quincy 84-63 in an exhibition game Sunday.

Illinois trailed the Division II school until a 3-pointer by freshman Brandon Paul with 6:03 left in the first half put the Illini ahead 25-22. Paul finished with 11 points.

The win didn't come as easily as the score indicated with Quincy sticking with Illinois until a 3-pointer by Bill Cole extended the lead to 14 with 4:39 left in the game.

Richardson hit 9 of 13 shots, including five 3-pointers. He also had four assists and four rebounds.

Andrew Keuker led Quincy with 16 points on 5 of 6 shooting.

The Illini open the season against SIU-Edwardsville on Friday.