Dec 1, 2002

Final Stats?|? Notes

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Brian Cook returned from a two-game suspension and scored 17 points Sunday in leading Illinois to a 85-56 win over Western Illinois.

Cook and guard Jerrance Howard missed the first two regular-season games for inadvertently participating in a non-sanctioned tournament this past summer, an NCAA violation. Howard was scoreless in his return.

Roger Powell added 15 points and seven rebounds and Luther Head scored 11 in his first appearance of the season after battling a groin injury. Deron Williams chipped in 10 for the Illini (3-0).

Illinois led 42-24 at halftime as Cook scored 13 first-half points.

Western's Andre Charles scored six points during a 13-4 run in the second half that cut the Illini lead to 54-46 with just over nine minutes remaining.

The Leathernecks (2-3) got no closer however, as Dee Brown's steal and layup gave Illinois a 10-point lead and the Illini pulled away from there. Sean Harrington hit two 3-pointers that extended the Illinois advantage to 16 and James Augustine scored with 2:30 left to give them a 24-point cushion.

Matt Robins hit four 3-pointers and led Western with 14 points. Charles finished with 10 points, all in the second half.