Illini Come Back From Halftime Deficit To Beat Northwestern

By Brendan Ross

FightingIllini.com

EVANSTON, Ill. – The No. 12 Fighting Illini came back from a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat Northwestern, 81-56, Thursday night. The story of the game was the Illini outscoring Northwestern 53-13 in the second half, with their offense coming alive and their defense stifling the Wildcats.

Illinois was led by a third consecutive double-double from sophomore Kofi Cockburn, the 20th of his career. Cockburn scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Junior Ayo Dosunmu contributed 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while senior Trent Frazier and Freshman Adam Miller each added 14 points.

The Wildcats took a 15-point lead into the locker room thanks to their zone defense, but the Illinois halftime adjustments and palpable energy was too much to overcome in the long run. Senior Da'Monte Williams' converted on two three-point field goal attempts and took a crucial charge to propel the Illini.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES

The Illini struggled across the board in the first half, turning the ball over 11 times and scoring only 28 points on 35% shooting en route to a 15-point deficit at halftime.

However, Illinois came out of the locker room hot and never looked back. They converted eight three-point field goal shots and dominated the glass on both sides. Illinois outscored Northwestern by 40 points in the second half and brought their own energy in the fanless arena, prompted by numerous offensive rebounds and charges taken.  

TURNOVERS ON BOTH SIDES

Illinois had 11 first-half turnovers, but switched the script in the second half. They forced the Wildcats into nine second-half turnovers, thanks to two steals each from freshman Andre Curbelo and redshirt junior Jacob Grandison. Curbelo also added seven assists while the Illini managed only four turnovers in the second half.

KING KOFI

Cockburn could not be stopped in the second half, where he scored 13 points and secured 10 rebounds. The Northwestern team had no answer for the big man's third consecutive double-double paired with two ferocious blocks defending the rim.

UP NEXT

The Illini hit the floor next on Sunday, Jan 10, facing Maryland at home at State Farm Center. The game will start at 7 pm CT and be broadcasted by BTN.

POSTGAME NOTES

Illinois improved to 9-3 overall, 5-1 in the Big Ten.

Illinois is 5-1 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2005.

Illinois is on a five-game winning streak against Northwestern and leads the all-time series 139-42.

Illinois trailed 43-28 at halftime, then won the second half 53-13.

Illinois is the only Division I team in the last 25 seasons to trail by 15+ points at halftime yet win by 20 or more (according to Stats Perform).

Illinois became the first team to outscore a major conference opponent by 40+ points in a single half since March 5, 2003, when Kentucky outscored Vanderbilt by 43 in the second half of a 106-44 win (according to Stats Perform).Illinois held Northwestern to 8.3% (2-24) shooting in the second half.

Every Illinois starter made as many or more shots than Northwestern's team in the second half. 

Illinois second-half runs included: 17-0, 8-0, 8-0, 7-0, 6-0, and 5-0Kofi Cockburn had a double-doubles in the second half (13 pts, 10 reb). He equaled Northwestern's points total in the second half (13-13).

Illinois outscored Northwestern 15-0 in points off of turnovers in the second half. Illinois outscored Northwestern 6-0 in fastbreak points in the second half.

 Illinois outscored Northwestern 10-0 in second-chance points in the second half. Illinois outscored Northwestern 22-2 in points in the paint in the second half.

Illinois' 25-point victory at Northwestern was its largest margin inEvanston since a 63-30 win 2/19/2000 when Illinois led 30-6 at halftime. 

Illinois had its second straight road win after trailing by 15+ (was down 19-4 at Penn State 12/23/20).

Kofi Cockburn had 18 points and 12 rebounds, his 20th career double-double and eighth this season. Cockburn is averaging 20.0 points and 11.3 rebounds in Big Ten play while shooting 70.8%. 

Ayo Dosunmu had 15 points, five rebounds, and six assists. Dosunmu is averaging 19.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in Big Ten play while shooting 48.4% and 44.4% from three. 

Andre Curbelo had seven assists. He leads the Big Ten in assists during league play at 6.7 apg.

Da'Monte Williams was 2-4 shooting from three. He leads the nation in three-point percentage at 65.6% (21-32) (min. 20 attempts). Williams is 11-16 (68.8%) from three in Big Ten play.