CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – The Fighting Illini improved to 3-1 on the season with a 66-53 win over Hawaii Monday night at State Farm Center, kicking off a five-game home stand and first of three games in six days.
Freshman Kofi Cockburn scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Illinois.
Cockburn, a 7-foot freshman from Jamaica, recorded his third double-double in four games this season. Trent Frazier added 13 points, Giorgi Bezhanishvili 10 and Andres Feliz had 10 assists for Illinois (3-1).
Zigmars Raimo led Hawaii (3-2) with 16 points. Eddie Stansberry, the Rainbow Warriors leading scorer (20 points per game) was held to 10 points on 4-of -4 shooting, thanks to the smothering defense of Frazier.
Both teams were cold in the first five minutes, with Illinois going 0 for 7 to start the game. The score was tied at 26 at the half.
Illinois used a 14-2 run late in the game to take control. The Illini were 15 of 23 from the free throw line, while the Rainbow Warriors were only 2 of 3.
Up Next
The Fighting Illini are back at it Wednesday night, Nov. 20, when they host The Citadel (8 pm CT on BTN) in the second game of a five-game homestand.
Team Notes
• Illinois improved to 3-1, including 2-0 at State Farm Center.
• Illinois went nearly 15 consecutive minutes of the second half without a turnover (17:35-2:44).
• Illinois outrebounded Hawaii, 44-26. The Illini have a +17.25 rebounding margin per game (177-108).
• Illinois held Hawaii to five offensive rebounds and four second-chance points, while grabbing 33 defensive rebounds on Hawaii's end.
• Illinois outscored Hawaii 40-27 in the second half after the game was tied 26-26 at halftime.
Player Notes
• Freshman Kofi Cockburn had his third double-double (15 points, 14 rebounds) in the first four games, including tying a season high with 14 rebounds. He had 12 of his points in the second half on 5-of-8 shooting after going 1-for-7 shooting in the first half.
• Sophomore Giorgi Bezhanishvili had a season-high nine rebounds, one away from tying his career high.
• Redshirt senior Kipper Nichols had a season-high nine points. He scored four points in the first three games of the season (4 at Arizona).
