March 3, 2005

Recap |  Final Stats

1. Illinois improves to 29-0 on the season, the third-best undefeated record in Big Ten history. The Illini have now won 25 straight Big Ten games and are two wins away from tying the single-season school record for victories in a season. Tonight's win also marks the sixth straight senior night that the Illini have recorded a victory.

2. The Illini increase their winning streak at the Assembly Hall to 21 games, and improve to 66-2 (.970) at the Hall over the last five seasons. Illinois is 78-3 (.963) at home over the last six seasons.

3. With eight three-pointers made, Illini guard Dee Brown tied the single-game school record, along with Kevin Turner's eight made at UCLA on Dec. 30, 1997. Brown also scored 27 points, which are the most in a game by an Illini this season. The 27 points are a career high for Brown, besting his 25 scored vs. Eastern Illinois in 2002. On his way to setting the school record, Brown made seven of his threes in the first half. He scored 24 of his 27 before intermission.

4. As a team, the Illini set a school record for three-pointers made in a season. Illinois entered the game with 249 made and hit 15 vs. the Boilermakers to bring the season total to 264, topping the record of 254 set in 2001-02. The Orange and Blue also tied the school record for made three-pointers in a game going 15-for-27. Illinois first set the mark of 15 against Penn State on Jan. 12.

5. Illinois shot a blistering 16-for-28 (.571) in the first half tonight. The Illini were 11-19 from the arc (.579).

6. The `Big Three' guard trio (Brown, Head and Williams) combined for 59 of the 84 points tonight, which was 70 percent of the team's points. They also were 13-of-22 from downtown.

7. All season the Illini have been extremely unselfish, as they have been credited for 555 assists on 842 field goals for a percentage of .659. Tonight the Illini dished out 21 assists on 27 field goals for a .778 percentage.

8. Illinois scored 50 points in the first half as a team, however, the three guards of Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head combined for 41 of those. It was the seventh time this season, the Illini have hit the 50-point mark at halftime.

9. Illini individuals continued to move up on the career scoring list. With 27 points, Brown jumped two spots to 21st (Anthony Welch, 1,217; Rich Adams, 1,223). Deron Williams had 21 points to move to become the 39th all-time scorer (Jim Dawson, 976; Derek Harper 977). Williams now moves to within seven points of the 1,000 point club.

10. Purdue's four free attempts were a season-low for an Illinois opponent this season. The previous low was by Northwestern on Feb. 23 as they attempted six.