Nov. 26, 2003

Final Stats

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Dee Brown scored 18 points and Roger Powell added 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 12 Illinois to a 93-61 Wednesday night over Mercer.

The Illini (2-0) used a 24-7 first-half run to build a 30-10 lead in dominating the Bears (1-3). Mercer made only three of eight shots and committed six turnovers over that 9-minute span as the Illini pushed a 6-3 lead to 20 points.

Illinois led by as many as 36 points and never led by fewer than 30 after the break. Deron Williams scored 14 points and Nick Smith had 13 for the Illini, who have scored more than 90 points in each of their two games this season.

Mercer lost its third straight game despite 15 points from Jacob Skogen. Scott Emerson scored 14 points for the Bears, who shot only 40 percent from the floor and committed 21 turnovers.

Illinois' speed and motion offense was too much for Mercer from the start. The Illini were able to move the ball to their front line for short shots, which let Brown roam free on the perimeter.

By JIM PAUL
Associated Press Writer