MADISON, Wis. – The No. 5 Fighting Illini defeated No. 23 Wisconsin 74-69 to complete the season sweep of the Badgers behind a strong first-half effort and clutch free throws to finish the game. The Orange and Blue were led by Kofi Cockburn (19 points, seven rebounds), Andre Curbelo (17 points, seven rebounds) and Da'Monte Williams 12 points. Trent Frazier added six rebounds for the Illini.
The Illini started off hot, holding Wisconsin to a seven-minute scoring drought and jumping out to a 13-2 lead. Da'Monte Williams had his most points in a half this season (10 points) and led the Illini to a 37-26 lead at the half.
Momentum was building for the Illini in the second half, with Andre Curbelo and Kofi Cockburn heating up and leading the Illini to a 14-point lead with 5:55 to go. Wisconsin pushed back behind D'Mitrik Trice's 25 second-half points, bringing the game within four with :53 seconds left. Pairs of clutch free throws by Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier, and Jacob Grandison in the final minute vaulted the Illini over the Badgers for the season sweep.
Gallery: (2-27-2021) Illinois at Wisconsin - 2/27/2021
CLUTCH DOWN THE STRETCH
The Illini were 10-for-10 from the free-throw line in the final 44 seconds of the game, with Curbelo and Frazier each going 4-4 from the line, and Grandison hitting the final two shots from the charity line to ice the game for the Illini.
BEATING THE BADGERS
In two appearances against the Badgers this season, Kofi Cockburn combined for 42 points, 21 rebounds, and was 17-for-26 from the field. Kofi also threw down another four dunks for the Illini against the Badgers.
CRAFTY CURBELO
With national player of the year candidate Ayo Dosunmu out, freshman Andre Curbelo has stepped up for the Illini. He has combined for 27 points, 19 rebounds, nine assists, and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity line.
UP NEXT
The Illini travel to Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 2 to take on No. 3 Michigan in their first of two top-five matchups to end the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 PM CT and will be broadcasted on ESPN.
NOTES
• Illinois has won three straight games against Wisconsin for the first time since winning four straight from 2005-06. Illinois is 113-89 all-time against Wisconsin.Â
• Illinois was 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the final 44 seconds (Curbelo 4-4, Frazier 4-4, Grandison 2-2).Â
• Illinois shot 52.1% (25-for-48) from the field, the Illini's highest percentage at Wisconsin since shooting 53.3% (24-for-45) on Feb. 9, 2010.
• Illinois shot 55.6% (5-for-9) from three-point range, the Illini's highest three-point percentage at Wisconsin since shooting 60.0% (6-for-10) on Jan. 10, 2008.
• Illinois has won back-to-back games at Kohl Center for the first time since 2005-06.Â
• Illinois is one of four teams to win back-to-back years at Kohl Center in the last 20 years. Only Illinois and Michigan State have achieved the feat twice.
Back-to-Back years Winning at Kohl Center in the Last 20 Seasons
Illinois, twice (2005-06 and 2020-21)
Michigan State, twice (2012-13 and 2018-19)
Northwestern (2017-18)
Purdue (2008-09)
• Illinois has won four games against AP-ranked teams, its most in a season since 2012 (4).Â
• Illinois is 14-4 in the Big Ten, its third-most Big Ten wins in program history. The 2005 Big Ten champion Illini went 15-1 in conference games and the 1984 Big Ten champion Illini went 15-3. Illinois has 14-win Big Ten seasons in 1953 (14-4) and 1989 (14-4).
• Illinois' 27 Big Ten wins over the last two years is the second-most in consecutive seasons in Illini history, trailing only the 28 wins from 2004-05.Â
Most Big Ten Wins in Consecutive Seasons
28 2004-05Â
27 2020-21Â
27 1984-85Â
26 1988-89Â
26 1952-53Â
25 1987-88Â
25 1942-43Â
• National Player of the Year candidate Ayo Dosunmu missed his second straight game with a facial injury.Â
• Owning numbers of 21.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, Dosunmu is the only player in the NCAA over the last 11 seasons to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and five assists.
