Illini Roundup: Basketball, Volleyball Teams Pick Up Weekend Wins
Alan Griffin follows through on a three-point shot during the Illini's 120-71 win over Hampton Saturday in Champaign. Cary Frye/University of Illinois
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu scored 20 points apiece and Illinois beat Hampton 120-71 on Saturday night.
Cockburn also grabbed 13 rebounds and is the only freshman in the country with five double-doubles through six games.
“We came out and played the way we are supposed to,” Dosunmu said. “We’re getting better and better, collectively.”
Alan Griffin and Andres Feliz each added 19 points for Illinois (5-1). Giorgi Bezhanishvili scored 14 points.
“My teammates got me going. They told me to keep shooting, so I did,” Griffin said. The sophomore averages 6.4 points per game but leads the team with nine 3-pointers through six games.
Jermaine Marrow led Hampton (3-2) with 22 points. Benjamin Stanley added 20 for the Pirates.
Illinois took the lead at the outset on two Cockburn free throws followed by his massive dunk after a Pirates turnover.
Illinois had no turnovers at the half and led 62-31. The Illini finished with nine turnovers to the Pirates 16.
“It was really nice to have a half of not turning the ball over,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “We also had 16 assists. I’m proud of what the guys accomplished tonight.”
HOT SHOTS
Illinois’ 120 points were its most since scoring 121 against Chicago State in December 1993. Illinois shot 45 of 70 from the field for 64%, its best shooting percentage since 2011. “We were dialed in tonight,” Underwood said.
“This is nowhere near our best,” Dosunmu said. “I think the other teams in the country should be scared.”
Hampton was 28 of 64 (38%) from the field.
BIG PICTURE
Hampton: It was a learning experience for a Hampton team that isn’t nearly as bad as this score might indicate. But the Pirates were outgunned from the beginning and never challenged Illinois for the lead.
Illinois: It was the best overall game, offensively and defensively, in Underwood’s three seasons.
HE SAID IT
“Trent Frazier absolutely controlled the game, defensively,” Underwood said. “That’s what this game is all about, defense. I think Trent has become one of the most elite defensive players, not just in the Big Ten, but in the entire country.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Illinois ranks second nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (45.8%), and is 12th nationally in defensive free-throw rate (17.5) — a huge improvement from last season when the Illini were 338th in the country in defensive free-throw rate.
Illinois is the only team in the Big Ten Conference with three players averaging at least 14 points per game.
Going into Saturday’s game, Cockburn was tied for the NCAA lead in double-doubles, was the No. 5 rebounder, and tops among freshman, averaging 12.6 rebounds per game.
UP NEXT
Hampton: Travels to San Francisco on Tuesday.
Illinois: Hosts Lindenwood on Tuesday, the fourth of a five-game homestand. The Illini play five of their next six games at the State Farm Center.
Illini Women Top Bryant
The Illini women's basketball team improved to 5-1 on the season with a 69-55 win over Bryant in Champaign on Sunday.
Illinois used a pair of big runs to take control of the game. They started the game on a 15-2 run, then went on a 19-0 run starting late in the second quarter after Bryant had closed to within 28-26.
Junior Petra Holešínská led the Illini with 17 points. Senior forward Ali Andrews added ten. Illinois will host Presbyterian on Tuesday night.
Volleyball beats Ohio State
The Illinois volleyball team won its third straight match, topping Ohio State 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-16) Sunday in Columbus.
Senior Jacqueline Quade led the Illini with 16 kills, and classmate Ashlyn Fleming added 12 kills, with a match-high seven blocks.
Illinois improved to 15-12 overall, and 10-8 in the Big Ten. The Illini will wrap up the regular season with a pair of matches on Wednesday and Saturday against Northwestern.