Feb. 15, 2006
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Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Despite the absence of senior Vedran Vukusic, the Big Ten's leading scorer, Northwestern gave No. 14 Illinois all it wanted, trailing 48-45 late in the second half.
But Rich McBride (17 points) and Dee Brown took over in the game's final minutes to squash a Northwestern rally and post a 63-47 victory Wednesday night at Assembly Hall.
After Northwestern wiped out a 27-20 halftime deficit to tie the game at 29, Brown hit a 3-pointer and converted a four-point play on consecutive possessions to give the Illini (21-4, 7-4 Big Ten) a 36-29 lead.
Northwestern (12-11, 4-7), minus Vukusic's 20-plus points per game, mounted a final push with a 12-2 run that trimmed a 13-point lead to three. But Illinois answered with 14 straight points to put the game away.
"Our guys were worn out," Wildcats coach Bill Carmody said. "It just seemed they were a little fresher than we were."
Carmody said Vukusic would be evaluated on Thursday.
"Obviously, we need his contribution on offense. He's been a great scorer for us," said Mohamed Hachad, who led the Wildcats with 17 points. "If you're going to come back and score on offense, he's a big target and we didn't have him tonight."
The Illini, who had lost consecutive games for the first time in two seasons, held onto third place in the Big Ten with the win. But they had problems with Northwestern's zone defense most of the night and committed 13 turnovers.
Mohamed Hachad scored 17 points for Northwestern and Vince Scott had 11, including three 3-pointers. The Wildcats shot 41 percent.
Brown finished with 16 points for Illinois and Brian Randle added 10. McBride was 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
Illinois was leading 48-45 when Jamar Smith found Randle for a layup. Brown converted a three-point play and then missed a shot that Randle dunked on the putback for a 53-45 lead. Warren Carter hit two free throws, James Augustine had a dunk and McBride hit his fourth 3-pointer to give the Illini a 62-45 lead.
Illinois took a 15-3 lead behind two 3-pointers and a jumper from McBride and baskets from Augustine and Shaun Pruitt. But Hachad hit two 3s and the Wildcats took advantage of some sloppy Illinois play to keep the game from getting away from them.
After McBride's third 3-pointer put the Illini ahead 22-11, Northwestern went on a 7-0 run, holding Illinois scoreless for 5:25. The Illini committed five turnovers during the Wildcats' spurt, causing coach Bruce Weber to stomp his foot on the court in frustration.
Shortly after that, Brown hit a jumper to break the drought and Illinois scored the next five points to take a 27-20 halftime lead.