Jan. 13, 2001

Box Score
Illini Wrap (video version)
Illini Wrap (audio version)

By JOHN KELLY
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Sergio McClain's effort on defense was just as important as his unprecedented stat line.

The senior had 11 assists, 11 rebounds and 10 points for the first triple-double in school history as No. 7 Illinois beat Michigan 80-51 Saturday despite missing its top two scorers.

"I kept telling the guys, 'One more, just one more,"' said McClain, who stayed in for the closing minutes trying to get the assists he needed.

More significantly, McClain played tough defense on Michigan's top threat, LaVell Blanchard, who made two field goals in the first half - just one while McClain was on the floor.

"We challenge Serg," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "If he wants to be the best defensive player in the league, he's gotta be able to guard the best player on the other team. Defense is his strength and anything we can get from him offensively is just an extra bonus."

Brian Cook scored 17 points, and Cory Bradford added 15 for the Illini (13-4, 3-1 Big Ten). Reserve Damir Krupalija scored 10 to help the Illini recover after their 78-62 loss at Iowa on Thursday.

Blanchard, who came in averaging 17.5 points, finished with 15, but five of those came in the meaningless final four minutes.

"He's a great player and we all know that," Blanchard said of McClain. "What can you say?"

Josh Asselin added 10 rebounds and nine points for Michigan (7-7, 1-2), which shot just 27.7 percent for the game. He was one of three Michigan centers to foul out of the game.

The Illini played without leading scorer Frank Williams, who bruised his tailbone and sprained his right ankle against Iowa. Their No. 2 scoring threat, center Marcus Griffin, left the game in the first half with what Self said was a bruised hip or tailbone.

"Tonight, we showed we can play without Frank," Self said. "I certainly don't want to make a habit of it. But that should give us some confidence."

Illinois took a 15-4 lead, and the Wolverines managed just five field goals in the first half. Michigan turned the ball over 14 times in the half against two assists, but the Illini could not capitalize - in part because they were 2-of-10 from 3-point range in the half.

Michigan kept it close until the final 1:30 of the period, when Krupalija came off the bench to score five points to help Illinois to a 38-23 halftime lead.

"You're not going to win a lot of games with 14 turnovers and two assists in the first half," Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe said. "They've just got too many guys to come in fresh from their bench for us to overcome that after halftime."

Krupalija opened the second half with a 3-pointer and Bradford added a long jumper for a 43-23 Illinois lead. Michigan never again got closer than 16 points.

Blanchard's first points of the second half came on back-to-back Michigan possessions, a short jumper and a 3-pointer with 3:22 remaining.

"It feels good," McClain said. "With Frank out, we knew as a team we had to pick it up, pushing the ball and creating for others. There were a lot of mismatches out there. We've got a lot of depth on this team. A lot of people were looking forward to playing and they did a good job."