CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Skyy Clark scored a career-high 19 points, RJ Melendez had a career-high 17 and No. 16 Illinois cruised past Lindenwood 92-59 on Friday night.
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By GAVIN GOOD Associated Press
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Skyy Clark scored a career-high 19 points, RJ Melendez had a career-high 17 and No. 16 Illinois cruised past Lindenwood 92-59 on Friday night.
"It's really good to see RJ get going," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. "He and I had a meeting, and he responded in a really really good way. He just showed up, buckled down and worked. I thought he was aggressive, and yet, didn't force things."
Clark shot at an efficient 8-of-9 clip and went 3 of 4 from long distance.
"He was just a type of guy who was a little bit shy to take those types of shots and all that, but he's gained a lot of confidence," Melendez said. "From the scrimmage versus Kansas to now, I see a whole different Skyy."
Lindenwood (3-5) hit three of its first four shots to take a 7-6 lead, but it was short-lived. Illinois (5-1) quickly seized a 22-13 lead, starting the game 10 of 15 from the field and shooting 63.6% in the first half.
Forward Dain Dainja came up with a steal in the lane and flipped the ball upcourt to Sencire Harris, who dumped a behind-the-back pass to Melendez for an emphatic dunk at the 12:45 mark.
Melendez cleared his previous career high of 13 points by the 4:07 mark of the first half. He finished 7 of 11 for the night and added four rebounds.