Kofi Cockburn had 22 points in his return to the lineup in Illinois' win on the road at Northwestern.
www.stltoday.com
EVANSTON, Ill. — Kofi Cockburn returned, and despite Illinois’ sloppy play, the Illini got a road win.
No. 24 Illinois escaped with a 59-56 win at Northwestern on Saturday, coming back from five down with 5:36 left for a win to stay atop the Big Ten.
“It doesn’t matter how we do it,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said.
The Illini (15-5, 8-2 Big Ten) had 22 points and nine rebounds from their big man, who missed the past 12 days in concussion protocol, but he was the only player in double figures for a dormant offense.
Da’Monte Williams was able to force a couple of misses from Nance, and Williams gave Illinois a 55-53 lead it would keep for good with an out-of-nowhere putback dunk.
Williams finished with five points, nine rebounds and three assists with his floor game proving vital down the stretch.
“His numbers didn’t show up here,” Underwood said, pointing to the stat sheet. “It’s just who he guards and how we, how he fights and how he competes. He’s not afraid to make a play. He was incredible in the locker room at halftime, in the huddles. Put a big capital W by his name.”
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whew......................1st Place in the B1G.........................nuff said............