Dec. 21, 2006

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - With lead scorer Warren Carter benched by injury, Illinois managed a 71-60 victory against Idaho State on Thursday night.

Jamar Smith had 21 points and Chester Frazier added 13 as Illinois (12-2) recovered from a rocky start to the second half for a win in its final home game before beginning Big Ten play.

Guard Akbar Abdul-Ahad led all scoring with 24 points for the Bengals (5-7).

Illinois led 32-29 at halftime and the game stayed close as Idaho State's David Schroeder made a free throw before Brian Randle hit a jumper and Frazier sunk a 3 for Illinois. Abdul-Ahad then hit a 3, a two-point jumper and another 3 to give Idaho State a 38-37 lead with 16:17 left in the game.

Idaho State built a 46-40 lead before Calvin Brock and Frazier combined for seven points to put the Illini back on top. Illinois maintained the lead through the final 9:17, building a 10-point lead with 4:20 to play.

Illinois led through most of the first half, taking control after Schroeder made a pair of free throws to make it 9-9 7:09 into the game. The Illini then went on a 15-4 run to give themselves a 26-13 advantage with 5:51 left in the half.

Schroeder then made a 3-point shot - which Trent Meacham answered with a 3-pointer of his own - and the teams traded baskets until halftime. Shroeder made a jumper and a pair of free throws in the last minute of the half to tighten the score heading into the break.

Illinois shot 34 3-pointers, making 13. The Illini made 80 percent from the free throw line in the second half, while Idaho State connected on two of just five shots from the line.