Feb 10, 2004

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By JIM PAUL
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Luther Head scored 17 points and James Augustine scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Illinois past Michigan State 75-51 Tuesday night.

Fifteen of Head's points came on 3-point shots as the Illini (16-5, 7-3) bumped the Spartans out of the Big Ten Conference lead and into a second-place tie with Illinois, a half-game behind Wisconsin.

Deron Williams added 15 points, and the Illini defense shut down Michigan State's league-leading shooting. The Spartans (12-9, 7-3), who had hit 56 percent of their shots in their first nine conference games, were held to just 42 percent from the field.

Shannon Brown was the only Spartan player to break double-figures, scoring 12 points. Michigan State's leading scorer, Paul Davis, scored only 8 points and played just 22 minutes. Davis averages about 16 points per game and the 22 minutes tied his low for the season.

Illinois broke the game open with a 12-0 run over the final 5:41 of the first half. After Chris Hill's two free throws cut Illinois' lead to 23-20 with 5:41 to go in the first half, the Illini ran off four straight 3-point plays.

Williams sank a basket and free throw to build the lead to six. Then Head hit a 3-pointer from the left wing and, after a missed dunk attempt by Davis at the other end, Dee Brown hit another three from the top of the key to put the Illini ahead 32-20. James Augustine's basket and free throw gave Illinois a 35-20 lead at the break.