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CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- A 19-year layoff did nothing to shift the balance of basketball power in the state of Illinois.

Frank Williams scored 29 points to lead four players in double figures as seventh-ranked Illinois remained unbeaten against Illinois State with an 87-73 victory.

The Fighting Illini (9-2) have won all six meetings in the series, although the downstate neighbors were facing each other for the first time since 1982.

Damir Krupalija added 14 points off the bench and Brian Cook and Cory Bradford each had 10 for Illinois, which has beaten a pair of intrastate rivals since an 87-82 loss at Arizona two weeks ago. The Illini also stretched their home winning streak to 23 games.

"I think we're getting everyone's best effort. I think we played four teams within the state and all of them gave us a good shot," Williams said.

Baboucarr Bojang scored 15 points but could not prevent Illinois State (4-6) from falling to 0-4 on the road.

Illinois led by as many as eight points in the first half but settled for a 37-32 advantage at the break after missing 7-of-15 free throws and 9-of-12 3-pointers. Cook made just one basket while playing only four minutes.

"We were in foul trouble," Cook said. "We've just got to come more prepared to play. I don't know how to do it, but we've got to be more prepared. ... They got a lot of offensive rebounds, and we shouldn't let that happen." A layup by Randy Rice got the Redbirds within 37-34 just 10 seconds into the second half, but the Illini answered with 9-2 run that was fueled by seven points from Krupalija.

Illinois State twice climbed back within nine points, the last time at 54-45 on a basket by Bojang with 14:40 remaining. WIlliams caught fire, scoring eight straight points for Illinois, which opened a 62-49 lead less than two minutes later.

A 3-pointer by Williams with 8 1/2 minutes remaining gave the Illini their biggest cushion at 71-51.

Asked about his team's big second half, Williams said, "I would say we were a lot quicker on offense, a lot more motivated to go out there and play. (We were) getting the ball inside, letting our big men to decide to pass or take the shot. I think we played very good in the second half." .