Illinois Beats Chicago State 77-53

The Illini men's basketball team beat Chicago State 77-to-53 Friday night at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

It sounds like a blowout. But it was a four point game with seven and a half minutes left. That's when Jon Ekey went on a personal ten point run; two three-pointers, book-ended by offensive rebound dunks.

Chicago State coach Tracy Dildy praised Ekey's ability. "That's one of the best shooters in the country. When you talk about a fifth-year guy who just knows how to play the game. We gotta know where #33 is at all times. And we even doubled him at times."

Ekey scored a game-high 19 points. He said "it's great — at this level, at this stage — to be able to do that.The coaches have been talking about it, ever since I got on campus. It's what they're talking to me about every day: going out there and taking the open ones, don't pass up shots."

Joe Bertrand, Tracy Abrams and Rayvonte Rice each added a dozen points for the Illini. Clarke Rosenberg led the Cougars with 16.

The Illini now hit the road for the first time this year. They play UNLV in Las Vegas, Tuesday night.