Dec 29, 2001

Final Stats

By JASON STRAIT
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Injuries forced Illinois coach Bill Self to search the end his bench for a starting center.

He settled on Nick Smith, and the freshman delivered

Smith, who hadn't played more than 15 minutes in a game this season, had a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds in an 87-72 victory over Loyola of Chicago on Saturday night.

Smith started in place of Robert Archibald, one of three big men for No. 7 Illinois (11-2) sidelined with injuries against the Ramblers (5-5).

"Nick was probably the player of the game from our standpoint," Self said of the 7-foot-2 Smith. "I thought he played very, very well."

The redshirt freshman, who played 30 minutes against Loyola, was thrust into a starting role with injuries to Archibald and Damir Krupalija, the team's leading rebounder. Illinois also is missing forward Lucas Johnson, who is out until February with a torn knee ligament.

"That's the longest stretch I've played in a long time," said Smith, whose conditioning has been a concern for Self. "I was the only big guy in there. I definitely wasn't the first option."

Frank Williams, second in the Big Ten in scoring at 18.8 points per game, made 4-of-9 3-pointers and had 25 points for Illinois.

Williams has averaged 25 points over the last six games that included a win over No. 10 Missouri, the only ranked opponent Illinois has beaten.

The Illini led by just three with 8:56 left but outscored Loyola 29-17 down the stretch. With the Ramblers trailing 58-55, Williams took control for Illinois and scored six straight points, two on spinning drives in traffic, to push the lead back to eight.

"We're not the only team that they've done this to. When they needed some points Frank took us off the dribble and got to the free-throw line," Loyola coach Larry Farmer said.

Illinois held a 46-33 rebounding edge over Loyola, who were able to stay in it with 3-pointers. The Ramblers were shooting 28 percent from 3-point range heading into the game, but were 9-of-22 against Illinois.

Krupalija, the team's leading rebounder, was in uniform but didn't play because of a sprained left foot.

Illinois held David Bailey, the nation's second-leading scorer, to one field goal for most of the first half. But Bailey hit three straight 3-pointers and scored the final 11 points of the half to pull the Ramblers within 10.

Bailey, who entered the game averaging 24.6 points per game, had 24 points and five assists but was just 8-for-20 from the field and committed seven turnovers. He was guarded most of the game by Williams, who also had seven rebounds and three steals.

Illinois had 15 assists, led by Cory Bradford's five, but committed 17 turnovers. Self said his team's needed to start moving the ball better heading into Big Ten play starting Tuesday.

"I don't think we're sharing the ball at all," Self said. "We look like a team that is watching a guy go make plays. We don't have all five guys getting touches now, and that's frustrating as a coach."

Sean Harrington added 14 points on 3-for-5 shooting from 3-point range for Illinois. Ryan Blankson had eight points and 10 rebounds for Loyola.