Dec. 6, 2000

Box Score | Coach Self Audio

By JOHN KELLY
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Brian Cook scored a season-high 17 points and No. 9 Illinois held Wisconsin-Milwaukee to 22 percent shooting in an 85-44 rout Wednesday night.

The 41-point margin was the biggest for Illinois (6-2) since beating Bethune-Cookman by 50 on Dec. 28, 1999.

It was the worst shooting performance ever by a visiting team in Assembly Hall. The Panthers also missed nine of 20 free throws.

Cook, who had struggled to score this season, and Cory Bradford, who added 13 points, repeatedly drove into the crowded lane and overpowered the smaller Panthers (5-3). Frank Williams and Sean Harrington each scored 11 for the Illini.

Illinois' stingy defense forced Wisconsin-Milwaukee into bad shot after bad shot all night. The Panthers scored only 18 points in the first half.

The Panthers' last lead was 8-7, about seven minutes into the game, but the Illini outscored them 30-10 the rest of the period.

Illinois outscored the Panthers 27-10 to open the second half for a 64-28 lead with 10:50 left.

From there, Illinois coach Bill Self went deep into his bench.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee got 16 points from Clay Tucker and 10 from Dan Weisse. James Wright had eight rebounds.