Dec. 6, 2000

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Brian Cook scored 17 points as ninth-ranked Illinois built a 19-point halftime advantage en route to a 85-44 victory over UWM Wednesday night at Assembly Hall.

The Panthers (5-3) shot just 22 percent from the field, and could get no closer than 16 points in the second half. Illinois then countered with a 26-5 run to put the game away.

The Panthers struggled throughout the evening with Illinois' pressure defense, committing a season-high 17 turnovers.

"We had to handle that pressure," coach Bo Ryan said. "We just didn't get into that and got behind. The hustle was there. We had 14 offensive rebounds. But when you have to play from behind against a bigger and more athletic team, it's very difficult."

Clay Tucker scored 16 points to lead UWM, which saw its three-game winning streak snapped. Dan Weisse added 10 as the only other Panther in double-figures.

UWM took its final lead of the night at 8-7 on a Tucker jumper, but Illinois scored the next 11 points to build a 10-point advantage, and the Panthers could get no closer than seven the rest of the night.

Cory Bradford added 13, while Frank Williams and Sean Harrington added 11 for Illinois (6-2). The Illini shot 56 percent from the field, and made nine of its 18 three-point attempts.

The Panthers return to action Monday night at in-state rival Wisconsin. The game at the Kohl Center in Madison tips off at 7 p.m., and can be seen on WCGV-TV in Milwaukee.

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