Evanston, IL (Sports Network) - D.J. Richardson tallied 18 points and eight
rebounds as the Illinois Fighting Illini coasted to a 62-41 victory over the
Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten Conference matchup at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Tracy Abrams added 13 points for Illinois (19-8, 6-7 Big Ten) as it collected
its fourth win in a row. Brandon Paul contributed eight points, six rebounds
and five assists for the Fighting Illini.
Reggie Hearn led Northwestern (13-13, 4-9) with 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting
from the floor while Mike Turner paced the team on the glass with seven
boards.
The Fighting Illini opened up the game on a 7-0 run and held the hosts to 21.7
percent shooting from the field in the first half to take a 29-15 lead into
the intermission. Abrams scored 11 of his points before the break.
Northwestern was unable to cut into the deficit after halftime as it managed
to make only 28 percent of its field goal tries over the final 20 minutes.
Illinois outscored the hosts, 18-8, in the paint in the second stanza to
complete the rout.
Illinois overcame an 8-of-15 showing at the charity stripe by pulling down 39
rebounds to the Wildcats' 33. Northwestern went 12-of-48 from the floor to set
a new season-low for made field goals in a contest.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network