Frazier's Heroics Put Illini Past Wolverines in Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Trent Frazier continued to show up when the Illini need him most, putting the dagger in Michigan on Sunday afternoon. While Illinois never trailed in Ann Arbor, Michigan nearly orchestrated a comeback, getting within two points in the final minutes. But after a layup from Kofi Cockburn and a strong defensive stand, Frazier buried a three with 45 seconds to play, securing the 93-85 win.

The victory keeps Illinois near the top of the conference as its 13-5 record is tied at second with Purdue.

Frazier was one of four Illini to score in double figures, putting up 17 points and making all three of his three-point attempts. Kofi Cockburn and Alfonso Plummer led the way against the Wolverines with 27 and 26 points, respectively. Coming off a game with eight three-point makes, Plummer made six on Sunday and shot 67% overall. Andre Curbelo stepped up in the second half, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the final period.

Cockburn's defense was just as important against Michigan as he held Hunter Dickinson to 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The Illini big man grabbed seven rebounds and two steals.

Plummer was once again instrumental in Illinois' first half offensive success. He led the way with 23 points on five threes in the first 20 minutes. But it was Cockburn who got Illinois rolling, making a couple early layups while Frazier made the first three. Dickinson made a couple baskets before Plummer hit his first three of the day.

The teams traded layups then Plummer hit back-to-back shots to put Illinois up 17-11. After a three-pointer from DeVante Jones, Plummer drilled a deep ball then minutes later made a three from the corner. Illinois got its biggest lead of the half after two Michigan turnovers turned into threes from Coleman Hawkins and Frazier. Caleb Houstan countered with a couple makes, but Cockburn came back with a couple layups before Plummer hit his final three of the half on a fast break.

Frazier and Dickinson traded jumpers near the end of the half, then Houstan made a transition layup. Hawkins  made a statement with an offensive rebound and dunk, then Plummer followed it up with a pair of free throws and a jumper. The Wolverines had the last points of the half, though, as Moussa Diabate made a dunk and a layup.

Illinois headed to halftime with a 46-38 lead and came out just as strong in the second half. Cockburn scored Illinois' first six points of the half while Jones and Diabate made layups. Dickinson cut the lead down to seven with a three and a dunk, but Curbelo fired back with a pair of jumpers.

Both teams hit a couple jumpers then Curbelo and Cockburn added layups to go up 68-55. Plummer hit another three before Diabate scored six straight points for Michigan. The Wolverines started to make their comeback as Jones hit three free throws then a deep shot to make it a five-point deficit ad Crisler Arena erupted. While Curbelo and Frazier temporarily silenced the crowd with layups, Jones scored another four points while Houstan made a layup and a three to cut Illinois' lead down to two.

Frazier and Cockburn stopped the comeback efforts with their big shots, putting the game away in the final minute.

Illinois will be back at home for its final two games of the regular season, hosting Penn State on Thursday and Iowa on Sunday.

POSTGAME NOTES

• Illinois has won five straight games against Michigan.

• Illinois has won three straight games at Michigan.

• Illinois' 93 points were the most by either team in the Illinois-Michigan series since the Illini won 94-70 in 2002. It was the Illini's most points in a win in Ann Arbor since a 96-89 victory 2/26/1973.

• Coach Brad Underwood won for the 200th time in his career.

• Illinois won for the 20th time this season. The Illini have three straight 20-win seasons for the first time since 2009-11. It is the 35th 20-win season in school history. 

• Illinois won its 13th Big Ten game, marking the program's first-ever run of 13+ B1G wins in three straight seasons.

• Illinois has won 10 of its last 13 Big Ten road games, and 15 of its last 19. 

• Illinois has totaled 20 road wins in Big Ten play over the last three years, four more than the next closest team (Wisconsin, 16). Illinois is 20-10 during this stretch (.667), one of only three teams above .500 in B1G road games. 

• Illinois is the Big Ten's winningest team over the last three seasons with a 42-16 record in league play, and a 45-16 mark when including the conference tournament. 

• Illinois' 42 wins in Big Ten play over the last three years is the winningest 3-year stretch in school history. 

• Illinois is 27-6 in its last 33 games versus Big Ten opponents.