Dec. 6, 2004

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By JIM PAUL
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Luther Head scored 17 points and Dee Brown added 15 points and nine assists as Illinois celebrated its new No. 1 ranking with a 78-59 victory over Chicago State on Monday night.

The Illini (7-0) moved from fifth to the top spot in The Associated Press' poll earlier Monday. It was the third time in school history it reached No. 1. The other two appearances were in 1952 and 1989, each for one week.

Illinois jumped to a 13-4 lead and added a 6-0 run midway through the first half. The Illini were never seriously threatened despite some sloppy play that resulted in 18 turnovers.

Deron Williams and Roger Powell Jr. each added nine points for Illinois, which was playing its second game in three days. Reserve Warren Carter had eight points.

Chicago State (0-5) tried to slow down Illinois with a ball-control offense, often running the shot clock under 10 seconds. But the Illini used their quickness to force 19 turnovers, several of which led to easy baskets.

Deji Akindele scored 14 points for the Cougars, while Tony Weeden added 13 and Terren Wilson 11 in 23 minutes.

The Illini forced Chicago State to take several bad shots during the game's early minutes and took the 13-4 lead behind 3-pointers from Williams, Head and Powell. Head also had a layup on a nifty pass from Brown.

But the Cougars outscored Illinois 9-4 over the next 3:15, prompting a bit of concern from the Illini bench.

"Got to pick up the energy," shouted coach Bruce Weber.

A 10-footer from Nick Smith, which came after 11 passes, broke the run and Illinois scored the next eight points to take a 25-13 lead with 9:32 remaining in the first half. The Illini pushed the lead to 18 points before a 3-pointer from Chicago State's Kevin Jones Jr. closed the first half to make it 47-32.

Illinois has defeated 36 straight non-Big Ten opponents at the Assembly Hall. The Illini made more than half their shots for the fourth time this season and were 14-for-30 from 3-point range.