Loyola Chicago Related Info: Team Page Conference Page City Page: • Chicago

Illinois Related Info: Team Page Conference Page City Page: • Champaign Message Boards: • Illinois • Big Ten

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- After holding off another state opponent, Illinois is ready for the start of Big Ten conference play.

Frank Williams scored 25 points as the seventh-ranked Fighting Illini pulled away for an 87-72 victory over Loyola-Chicago in their final non-conference tuneup.

Illinois (11-2) improved to 5-0 against state schools, also beating Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois and Illinois State. The Illini open Big Ten play Tuesday against Minnesota.

With a contest against conference foe Northwestern on tap for February 23, Illinois will play six state opponents this season, its highest total since 1945-46.

The Ramblers (5-5) gave Illinois a test and only trailed, 71-64, with four minutes remaining, but the Illini put away the contest with a 12-0 run. Illinois opened its biggest lead, 83-64, on redshirt freshman Nick Smith's layup with 1:59 left.

Smith contributed 17 points and nine rebounds in his first career start.

David Bailey recorded 24 points for Loyola, which has lost all eight meetings at Illinois.

The Illini never trailed, opening an 8-0 lead on the first of Williams' four 3-pointers, but they had trouble shaking the Ramblers.

After Illinois built a 47-33 lead on Smith's tip-in with 18:38 remaining in the contest, Loyola closed within 58-55 on two free throws by Ryan Blackson with 8:57 left.

The Fighting Illini got the lead up to 71-61 on Cory Bradford's free throw with 5:05 left. Blankson made two foul shots and Kevin Clancy hit 1-of-2 to pull Loyola within 71-64 with 4:19 to go.

But Williams converted two free throws 14 seconds later to start Illinois' decisive 12-0 spurt.

Sean Harrington scored 14 points and Brian Coook added 12 for the Illini, who held a 46-33 rebounding edge.

Silvije Turkovic was the only other player in doubles for Loyola with 10 points. The Ramblers shot just 35 percent (25-of-71) from the field.

Illinois dominated at the line, making 27-of-36 free throws, compared to just 13-of-19 for Loyola.