FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Angela Bizzarri's third NCAA title was every bit as thrilling as the previous two.

The Illinois senior held off Iowa State's Lisa Koll by .12 second to capture the 3,000-meter run at the NCAA Indoor Championships. It was her third NCAA title, joining her 2009 cross-country championship and a 2009 outdoor crown in the 5,000 meters.

"I never go into a race thinking I'm going to win – I know that sounds silly," Bizzarri said. "I think each time it's exciting and exhilarating because there's always new competition."

Koll and Bizzarri battled it out in the final 50 meters.

"Angela is just a fierce competitor," Illinois distance coach Jeremy Rasmussen said. "Angela's first goal was to do better than last year and give herself a chance to win. She did just that and did an excellent job. She worked up to the top three, which broke away from the pack, and then was able to close in the end. It was a great race between two top runners, so give credit to both women."

Bizzarri's time was 13 seconds better than her school record in the event. She finished in 8 minutes, 57.40 seconds.

Bizzarri spent the race in third behind Villanova's Sheila Reid and Koll. On the final lap she sprinted ahead and outkicked Koll.

"You can never go into it knowing exactly how it will turn out, but there were a few things I thought could happen, and that was one of them," Bizzarri said. "I thought they would go out pretty quick and they did. I knew it would be a fast race and I'd have to run a fast time to do well."

But the pressure of previous successes didn't bother her.

"I don't go into it thinking I have to win," she said. "I know if I run my best, I'll have a chance to win. You can't go in knowing what anyone else will do. I know if I compete well, I should do well."

Earlier Saturday, UI senior Aja Evans placed 10th in the shot put at 53 feet, 5 3/4 inches. Mariam Kevkhishvili of Florida was victorious at 61-0.

Riley an All-American. Illinois sophomore Andrew Riley placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles to become the program's first multiple All-American in the hurdles.

Riley was timed in 7.65 seconds. The top eight are All-Americans.

"Andrew had an outstanding weekend," UI interim coach Mike Turk said. "He got out great in today's race but hit a hurdle pretty hard, which made the difference in a race that fast. He really ran great and was right in the thick of it all the way through."