Dec. 3, 2002

Recap?|? Final Stats

• Illinois forward Brian Cook scored 22 points, marking his 61st career double-digit scoring performance. He also moved to 23rd on the all-time scoring list with 1,188 points, passing Nick Anderson's 1,172.

• For the fourth game this season, every Illinois player on the court in the first half got on the scoreboard.

• With the 92-65 win over No. 14 North Carolina, Illinois improves to 10-8 in games vs. ranked opponents and defeated its highest ranked opponent since beating No. 4 Michigan State, 77-66, on Feb. 6, 2001. The 27-point margin is the largest over a Top-15 opponent since the 34-point win over No. 15 Notre Dame on Jan. 25, 1969, 91-57.

• With 20 points scored, Sean Harrington set a new career-high in both points and three-pointers made with six, passing his previous high of 17 points and five three-pointers vs. Texas Southern (11/26/00).

• Illinois recorded its first win in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, 1-3 in four chances.

• The Illini evened the series record at 2-2, beating the Tarheels for the first time since 1951.

• Illinois out-rebounded North Carolina, 37-32, the fourth time this season in as many opportunities.

• The Illinois bench has outscored their opponent in every game this year and was dominant vs. the Tarheels with a 39-7 margin. For the season, Illinois is outscoring their foes, 35.8-11.0 from the bench.

• The Illini took a 40-36 lead into the locker room at halftime and improved to 46-5 under Coach Bill Self when leading at the half.

• Illinois improves to 29-1 at home in the Self era.

• Illinois ended the game with a 13-0 run in the last 4:07 and had a 28-8 run over the last 7:41 of the contest.

• Illinois was down as much as eight points in the first half, but took the lead for good at the 11:11 mark of the first half.

• Cook also tied a career-high with five assists, tying his best vs. Georgia Tech on Nov. 23, 2001.

• Illinois hit the 90-point mark for the third time this season.