Six Illini Hit Double Figures In 117-65 Win Over Lindenwood
Ayo Dosunmu drives to the basket against Lindenwood Tuesday night in Champaign. Rob McColley/for Illinois Public Media
The Illini men's basketball team topped the century mark for the second straight game, beating NCAA Division II opponent Lindenwood 117-65 Tuesday night in Champaign.
Ayo Dosunmu led the way with 24 points. Andres Feliz dished a game-high 9 assists. Da'Monte Williams added a career-high 18 points.
Dosunmu said he and his teammates encouraged Williams to be a little more selfish with the ball, and it worked.
Da'Monte Williams hits a free throw as part of his 18-point effort vs. Lindenwood on Tuesday.
“Always love the way Da’Monte plays because I feel like he plays the game the right way. I see him put the work in." Dosunmu said. "I see him in the gym each and every day, working on his shot, working on his craft, so I try to tell him to go out there and incorporate that, and that’s what he’s been doing.”
Williams is better known for his blue-collar work on the court, from rebounding, to setting screens and diving for loose balls. It's a role he's embraced.
“Since my freshman year, coach Underwood said, ‘it’s the little things that help us win games,’ and I just try to go out there and do all the little things so we can win games,” Williams said.
Kofi Cockburn led both teams with 8 rebounds to go with a dozen points. Feliz added 16 points, and Giorgi Bezhanishvili scored 10.
Trent Frazier connected on 5-11 three-pointers, and finished with 17 points for Illinois. The Illini forced 24 turnovers, including 13 steals, while limiting themselves to 14. They assisted on 25 of their 39 made field goals.
TJ Crockett led Lindenwood with 24 points. Vijay Blackmon added 12.
After putting up 120 points earlier this week against Hampton, Illinois set a program record by scoring 237 points in consecutive games. The old record was 229 points set in 1993.
The Illini will take a break for Thanksgiving before returning to action in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, hosting Miami on Monday at 6 pm CT.