Illinois Defeats Nebraska, 71-59

Trent Frazier and Andres Feliz added 11 points each for Illinois (18-9, 10-6). Illinois moved into a five-way tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference.

Haanif Cheatham led Nebraska (7-20, 2-14) with 14 points. Dachon Burke Jr. scored 13 points and Yvan Ouedraogo and Thorir Thorbjarnarson had 11 each.

Nebraska was playing without second-leading scorer Cam Mack (12 points per game average), who missed the trip to Champaign with the flu.

Monday's loss was a school-record 12th consecutive loss for the Cornhuskers.

The first half was close, but Illinois went on a 6-0 run capped by a 70-foot shot at the buzzer by Frazier that was all net. The Illini led 37-31 at the break.

Nebraska outscored Illinois 15-9 to open the second half and tied the game at 46 with 15:11 left. But Illinois used its athleticism and size to put together a 21-9 run to create a 10-point cushion the Cornhuskers couldn't overcome.

Illinois was 28 of 71 from the field (29%), while Nebraska was 24 of 57 (42%).

UP NEXT: The Illini travel to Northwestern Thursday night before closing out a three-game week on Sunday with Indiana coming to State Farm Center. 

ILLINOIS POSTGAME NOTES

Team Notes

Illinois is now 18-9 and 10-6 in Big Ten play with tonight's 71-59 win over Nebraska (7-20, 2-13) at the State Farm Center.

At 10-6 in conference action, Illinois is in a five-way tie for second place in the Big Ten standings.Illinois is now 16-8 all-time against Nebraska.

The Illini had five players finish in double-digit scoring figures. It is the fourth time this season Illinois has had five players score in double-figures (last on Jan., 18 in 75-71 win vs. Northwestern).

The Illini out-rebounded Nebraska, 48-35. It is the 20th game this season Illinois has grabbed more rebounds than its opponent.

Illinois never trailed against Nebraska. It is the third time this season the Illini went the game length without trailing their opponent (last on Jan., 5 in 63-36 win vs. Purdue).

Individual Notes

Freshman Kofi Cockburn recorded his 11th double-double of the season extending his Illini freshman record, scoring 15 points and hauling in 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu led the Illini in scoring with 18 points. He has scored in double-figures in 16 of the last 17 games, including a career-long active streak of 10 straight contests.

Sophomore Alan Griffin recorded 13 points off the bench and added seven rebounds.

Junior Trent Fraizer finished with 11 points, including a buzzer-beating, three-point field goal from about 70 feet court to end the first half. 

Senior Andres Feliz added 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds.