Dec. 30, 1999

Coach Kruger Audio

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Marcus Griffin scored 24 points and Cleotis Brown added 19 Thursday night as No. 20 Illinois beat Loyola of Chicago 107-71.

Lucas Johnson scored 15 points and Cory Bradford had 14 for the Illini (8-3), who led by 19 points at halftime.

Jerell Parker had 13 points and Silvijie Turkovic added 12 for Loyola (8-3), which got within 66-55 with 10:30 remaining.

But Illinois, behind Griffin and Brown, went on a 15-1 run for an 81-56 lead with 7:30 to go.

Griffin started the run with a layup and also had two free throws and another basket. Brown eight points, including two 3-pointers, in the run.

Illinois shot 50 percent from the field and was 13-of-25 from 3-point range.

Illinois freshman point guard Frank Williams had five points, 13 assists and four steals.