University of Missouri
University of Illinois
Tigers Fall to No. 6 Illinois, 82-50
12/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2005
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Back in town for the first time since last year's Final Four, No. 6 Illinois looked tournament-ready, getting 17 points, seven assists and two steals from Dee Brown in an 82-50 victory against Missouri on Wednesday night.
James Augustine added 12 points and eight rebounds for Illinois (12-0). The game was played in an arena across downtown from the domed stadium where the Illini lost to North Carolina in the 2005 national championship game.
The Fighting Illini's superior quickness had Missouri (4-4) on the run from the start and the game was over by halftime when the lead was 18 points. It grew to as many as 34 points near the end as Illinois won its sixth straight in the series and raised its overall record to 17-8 in the 25th anniversary game.
Jimmy McKinney had 11 points for Missouri, which got an off-night from Thomas Gardner. Gardner, who leads the Big 12 with a 22-point average, was held to a season-worst six points on 2-for-12 shooting.
Brian Randle returned to the Illinois lineup after missing a game with a sprained right ankle and added 13 points and six rebounds, while Marcus Arnold had 13 points.
Brown helped Illinois take control early, hitting two 3-pointers in a 10-0 run for a 16-5 lead. Another 3 by Brown gave Illinois a 28-12 lead . Then he capitalized after getting fouled beyond the 3-point line with 3 seconds left, hitting two free throws for a 39-21 lead and reaching his season average of 14 points.
