Lincoln, NE (Sports Network) - D.J. Richardson scored a career-high 30 points as the Illinois Fighting Illini made easy work of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 71-51, in a Big Ten Conference showdown at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Richardson shot 9-of-14 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range, as Illinois (15-5, 2-4 Big Ten) snapped a season-long three-game losing streak. Brandon Paul added 14 points for the visitors, while Nnanna Egwu grabbed 10 rebounds.

For Nebraska (10-10, 1-6), Dylan Talley scored 16 points and Brandon Ubel logged 10 points and six rebounds. The Cornhuskers have now lost six of their past seven games.

Illinois opened up a 35-23 lead at the half behind 46.9 percent field goal shooting. Nebraska connected on less than 31 percent of its attempts in the opening 20 minutes.

The Illini's field goal efficiency slowed to 42.9 percent in the second half, but they shot 13-of-15 from the foul line and the game was never in doubt.

Illinois held a firm advantage on the boards, 40-28.

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