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ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Frank Williams certainly has something to brag about.

Williams scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half and made several big baskets down the stretch as seventh-ranked Illinois earned a 72-61 victory over No. 9 Missouri in the annual Braggin' Rights game.

Williams, the preseason Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, has been criticized for failing to perform well in a sluggish start to the season. A prime example was a 3-of-16 outing in a 76-63 loss to Maryland on November 27.

But Williams came alive over the final 20 minutes as Illinois led for the entire second half. His basket gave the Fighting Illini (10-2) a 51-47 lead with 7:40 remaining and he added back-to-back hoops for a 55-48 advantage at the 5:43 mark.

Illinois led 60-53 when Williams drove the left baseline on Clarence Gilbert and banked home a runner for a nine-point cushion with 1:41 to play. The Tigers (9-2) never recovered.

Williams exited with 27 seconds remaining as the Illinois portion of the mixed crowd greeted him with a rousing ovation. He has been on a tear of late, scoring 29 points in a victory over Illinois State in his last game and a season-high 30 in a loss to Arizona on December 4.

While Williams lived up to his billing, Kareem Rush was less than stellar. The preseason Big 12 Player of the Year made 6-of-15 shots for 16 points but committed six turnovers and did not get to the free-throw line.

The Tigers shot 36 percent (21-of-58) and were held under 40 percent in their second straight loss. They connected at 33 percent in last week's defeat to Iowa.

Brian Cook was the only other Illini player in double figures with 12 points and eight boards. Illinois got an inspired effort from its reserves, who combined to make 7-of-8 shots for 17 points.

Rickey Paulding had 14 points off the Missouri bench and starting center Arthur Johnson added 11. But Johnson could not stop Illinois from outscoring the Tigers, 38-24, in the paint.

The Tigers, who earlier this season made a school-record 15 3-pointers, had a second straight poor shooting night from beyond the arc. They made just 8-of-31 after connecting on 5-of-29 attempts against the Hawkeyes.

Illinois improved to 13-8 against Missouri since the series moved to St. Louis in 1980-81.