Dec. 8, 1999

Box Score

Postgame Audio:
? Coach Kruger, C. Bradford, M. Griffin
? UTPA Coach Hoffman, guard B. Merriweather

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Illinois coach Lon Kruger was typically modest after winning his 300th game as a head coach.

"To get it just means that there have been a lot of good players and coaches and a lot of help along the way," Kruger said after No. 22 Illinois beat Texas-Pan American 98-61 Wednesday night.

The Illini players presented the game ball to Kruger, who is 300-225 in his 18-year career that began at Pan-American before moving on to Kansas State, Florida and then Illinois.

"We all congratulated him. It's quite an accomplishment," guard Cory Bradford said.

Marcus Griffin scored 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting Wednesday night to lead Illinois (4-2) and hand Texas-Pan American (1-4) its 62nd straight road loss.

"We just don't think about it. We just try to go out and win," Texas-Pan American guard Brian Merriweather said.

Merriweather led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting that included six 3-point baskets. But the Broncs were outmanned from the start and finally buried under a second-half onslaught from the Illini.

The Illini went on a 32-9 run over the opening 10:40 of the second half. With the score 72-39 both teams played a ragged final nine minutes.

"Overall, it was a pretty good effort. We got off to a solid start," Kruger said. "The defense lagged a little the last few minutes of the first half. But we came out solid in the second half,"

Texas-Pan American coach Bob Hoffman said it was just a matter of his team facing a superior opponent.

"They've got a great club. I know they'll continue to get better as the young guys learn their roles," he said. "As far as ourselves, if we can stay together and stay focused, good things will come."

Cleotis Brown, Cory Bradford and Lucas Johnson had 13 points each for Illinois, and Sergio McClain added 11.

"I don't just pay attention to my scoring. There's a lot I can do," Griffin said.

Meanwhile, Kruger continues to experiment with his lineup. No one on the team played more than 25 minutes or less than six.