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CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- A return home was the cure to Illinois' ills. Brian Cook scored 20 points and Robert Archibald added 19 as the 10th-ranked Fighting Illini avoided a third straight loss with a 94-70 Big Ten Conference victory over Michigan. Illinois (13-4, 2-2 Big Ten) suffered back-to-back losses at Wisconsin and Purdue, the first time it had dropped two in a row under second-year coach Bill Self. The Fighting Illini responded by shooting 68 percent (34-of-50) from the field as they led from start to finish. "Well, they certainly deserved the win today," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said. "They played outstanding basketball. They're coming back home from being on the road and this homestand they have is going to be very important for them. And they showed that." The Illini certainly were happy to be home as they scored the first eight points, including a resounding dunk by Cook. They used a 10-0 spurt for a 22-8 advantage with 11:14 remaining in the first half. Archibald had four points in the burst. Baskets by Sean Harrington and Nick Smith highlighted a 7-0 run by the Illini for a 35-17 cushion and Cory Bradford drilled a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left in the half for a 45-24 lead. "They beat us in all aspects of the game," Amaker said. "They outhustled us, outplayed us and outcoached us." Illinois took a 45-26 edge into the locker room and posted its 26th straight win at Assembly Hall. The home winning streak is its longest since it won 28 straight from February 11, 1988-January 15, 1990. Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Frank Williams came off the bench for the first time in his career and had 14 points and seven assists. Williams was disciplined by Self for being late to a team function. LaVell Blanchard scored 17 points to lead Michigan, which lost its second straight game. The Wolverines (6-7, 2-2) allowed Minnesota to shoot an astounding 82 percent in the second half of Wednesday's 90-82 loss. The hot shooting was typical throughout the Illinois lineup as the frontcourt tandem of Cook and Archibald combined to make 14-of-20 shots. Every player made at least 50 percent of his shots, with freshman Luther Head converting all five for 13 points off the bench. The Illini also were on the mark from the foul line, converting 20-of-26 attempts. Williams and Cook were 4-of-4. Chris Young and Bernard Robinson Jr. each netted 10 points for the Wolverines, but Robinson made just 3-of-11 shots. Michigan shot 30 percent (9-of-30) in the first half and fell to 1-4 on the road. "We're going to continue to look for hard work from our players, and those who do that will be rewarded with playing time," Amaker said. Illinois has won seven of the last eight meetings with Michigan. |
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