Jan 22, 2003

Final Stats?|? Notes?|? Photo Gallery

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Brian Cook scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half as No. 18 Illinois beat Purdue 75-62 Wednesday night to snap the Boilermakers' six-game winning streak.

Illinois (13-3, 3-2 Big Ten) outscored the Boilermakers 18-6 over the final 6:46 after leading most of the game.

Cook, the Big Ten's leading scorer at 21 points a game, had just two field goals and six points in the first half.

He was guarded most of the game by Chris Booker and had difficulty getting open, fumbling the ball when he did. Cook had four first half turnovers.

He was more assertive in the second half and so was Illinois.

The Illini worked the ball down low to Cook, who scored his first two baskets of the half on nifty post moves before getting into foul trouble. Cook was called for his fourth foul with 8:24 to go and was forced to the bench.

With Cook out of the game, Purdue (11-4, 3-1) cut a seven-point deficit to one on Melvin Buckley's second 3-pointer of the game.

After a timeout, Dee Brown hit a long jumper and converted a three-point play on a fast break to extend the Illini's lead to 64-56 and Purdue never got any closer.

Willie Deane had 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting for Purdue.

Luther Head had a season-high 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting for Illinois. Head missed two games earlier in the season with a groin injury, which has limited the sophomore's minutes.

Illinois freshman Deron Williams had 11 points in one his best games since the opening of Big Ten play. Williams was 0-for-8 in a 74-66 loss at Indiana, and was 1-of-13 from the field over the last four games.

However, Illinois coach Bill Self never pulled the freshman from the starting lineup. His patience paid off. Purdue cut the Illini lead to one twice early in the second half, and both times Williams responded with a 3-pointer.

Illinois took a 12-point lead behind two 3-pointers by Head and a putback by freshman James Augustine. Illinois outscored the Boilermakers 17-4 during the run, holding them scoreless for nearly four minutes.

Booker was called for a technical foul with 27 seconds left. Cook wrestled away a rebound from Booker and was walking toward the Illinois basket when Booker shoved him in the back.