Dec. 28, 2008

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -Mike Tisdale tied a career high with 25 points and Trent Meacham added 16 to lead Illinois to a 62-53 win over Eastern Michigan on Sunday.

Tisdale scored 17 in the second half to help the Illini overcome a sluggish start in their final non-conference game of the season.

Eastern Michigan's zone defense gave the Illini trouble. Illinois came in as the Big Ten's best shooting team and had combined to shoot 53.4 percent from the field in their last six games. But Illinois couldn't find its rhythm early against the Eagles and shot just 34.5 percent in the first half.

Despite being outscored 36-22 in the paint, Illinois held off the Eagles by forcing over 20 turnovers for the fourth time this season, getting Eastern Michigan to commit 21.

The win was Illinois sixth straight, matching its longest winning streak of the season.