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Illinois Postgame Notes

Illinois 86, Northwestern 60
State Farm Center, Champaign, Ill. // Feb. 28, 2015 // Attendance: 15,471


 1. The 26-point win (86-60) over the Wildcats is the most lopsided win in conference play since Jan. 10, 2009, against Indiana (76-45). The highest in the Grace era was 21 (62-41) at Northwestern on Feb. 17, 2013.

2. Tonight's 86-point total was the most the Illini have scored in Big Ten play this season and the most since Kennesaw State (93) on Dec. 27.

3. With the win, the Illini surpassed last season's Big Ten win total (7) and equaled their total from 2013 and the most in the Groce era (8). Illinois improves to 13-2 at State Farm Center this year.

4. With tonight's victory, the Illini completed the season sweep of Northwestern, improving to 132-39 all-time against the Wildcats. The Illini have dominated the series against Northwestern, especially in Champaign, leading 67-14 all-time.

5. The Illini began the first half on a 12-2 run with four threes by four different players (Nunn, Hill, Starks and Rice) in the first 2:30 of the game. UI led wire-to-wire for the fourth time this season, as it also did so against Indiana State (11/27/14), Hampton (12/17/14) and Kennesaw State (12/27/14).

6. The Illini's stifling defense was on display midway through the first half, as Northwestern was held without a FG for 10:30 (16:28-5:58). During that span the Illini made an 18-3 run to turn a slim 12-9 lead into a 30-12 advantage.

7. The Illini made 14 threes in the game, with nine coming in the first half. Illinois fell just one short if tying their State Farm Center record, which they most recently accomplished this season against Coppin State (11/16/14). Five different Illini (Nunn, Hill, Starks, Rice and Colbert) connected from behind the arc.

8. Senior Rayvonte Rice posted a game-high 19 points, with an efficient shooting performance, going 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-6 from behind the arc. Rice added seven rebounds and three assists.

9. Five Illini scored in doubles figures led by Rice with 19. Ahmad Starks followed with 17, while Malcolm Hill (15), Kendrick Nunn (14) and Maverick Morgan (10) rounded out the Illini in double figures.

10. Sophomores Maverick Morgan and Austin Colbert combined or 15 points, 12 rebounds, shooting 5-of-8 from the field. Morgan's totals of 10 points and eight rebounds (6 offensive) were all career-highs.

11. The Illini dominated the Wildcats on the boards (40-21). The margin (+19) was the Illini's largest of the season.

12. The Orange and Blue scored 45 points in the first half, their highest first half total in Big Ten play this season. Overall in the first half, the Illini shot 48.3% (14-29) shooting and 56.3% (9-16) from behind the arc. Northwestern totaled just 23 first half points, as the Illini held the Wildcats to 33.3% (7-21) and 25.0% (2-8) from three.

13. To recognize the 10th anniversary of the 2004-05 Fighting Illini team that won a school-record 37 games and finished as national runner-up, Roger Powell, Jr., and Jack Ingram were in attendance to represent the historic team. Many of the former Illini are currently playing professionally or in the coaching ranks and could not attend.