Feb 12, 2002

Box Score

Illini Wrap - VIDEO | AUDIO
courtesy of WCIA-TV, Channel 3, Champaign

By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Illinois and Frank Williams might be getting it together at just the right time.

Williams scored 22 points, including five in the final 75 seconds, as No. 18 Illinois edged Michigan State 63-61 on Tuesday night.

The Illini (18-7, 7-5 Big Ten) won their third straight, following a three-game losing streak.

"It's huge," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "It has been pretty well documented that we haven't played consistently, but there is still time if we peak at the right time. This win will do more for our confidence than any other game we have played."

Williams, who has been criticized for not living up to his billing as one of the country's top players, scored at least 20 points for the first time in over a month.

The returning Big Ten player of the year, who announced before the season that he would skip next season to enter the NBA draft, said he's heard a lot from his critics.

"It all goes in one ear and out the other," Williams said.

Williams' defense was a key reason Michigan State's Marcus Taylor shot just 4-of-15 for 16 points.

"I thought that was the best game Frank has played in a while," Self said. "Obviously, he made some big shots and his effort on defense against Taylor was really good."

The Spartans (14-10, 5-6) had won five of seven, and the previous 15 at home against ranked teams. They lost in the Breslin Center for just the second time in 58 games and to Illinois at home for the first time since 1997.

Illinois led by seven with 37 seconds left, but the Spartans made consecutive 3-pointers to pull within 59-58 with 27 seconds left. Brian Cook, who added 10 for the Illini, and Williams each made two free throws before Taylor's 3-pointer in the final seconds.

"I'm really upset and disappointed," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "We got what we deserved. We looked dysfunctional, and the coach has to take responsibility for that."

Illinois didn't trail until Michigan State went ahead 33-32 with 15:11 left. There were six lead changes over the next six minutes.

Following Cory Bradford's 3-pointer, which put Illinois up 54-52, Williams called a timeout with 1:18 left from the floor after stumbling. Izzo screamed to protest, and the crowd booed heartily.

Izzo was told by the officials that Self called the timeout.

"I could blame a lot of people," Izzo said. "Me, them, but the truth of the matter is, we didn't deserve to win the game."

After the timeout, Williams made a 3-pointer well beyond the top of the key as the shot clock was about to expire to put the Illini ahead 57-52.

"Players have to make plays when the game is on the line," Self said.

Unlike the past two games, the Illini got off to a great start.

Illinois scored the first 10 points and led by at least four until the Spartans pulled to 21-19 with 5:28 left in the half. Michigan State scored its last eight points off offensive rebounds, including Alan Anderson's putback as time expired, which tied it at 29.

"The game was won in the first 5 minutes," Izzo said. "Don't ask me how it was tied at halftime."

Michigan State's Kelvin Torbert scored 12, while Chris Hill and Anderson scored 10 each.

The Illini won their past two games over Purdue and Michigan after trailing by at least 13 in the first halves.