Cockburn leads No. 12 Illinois past Northwestern 81-56
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) Illinois coach Brad Underwood went to talk to his team at halftime and saw exactly what he needed to see.
The 12th-ranked Illini were angry and disappointed - and they took it out on Northwestern.
Kofi Cockburn scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half, and Illinois rallied to beat the overwhelmed Wildcats 81-56 on Thursday night.
''This team has a fight and a competitiveness that I love,'' Underwood said.
That was on full display during a historic second half. Illinois (9-3, 5-1 Big Ten) outscored Northwestern 53-13 after it trailed by 15 at the break. The Illini limited the Wildcats to just two field goals and forced nine turnovers in the final 20 minutes of their biggest victory at Northwestern since a 63-30 blowout on Feb. 19, 2000.
According to STATS, Illinois became the first team to outscore a major conference opponent by at least 40 points in a single half since Kentucky outscored Vanderbilt by 43 in the second half of a 106-44 win on March 5, 2003. The Illini are the only Division I team in the last 25 seasons to trail by at least 15 points at halftime and come back to win by 20 or more.
''I've never been (a part) of anything like that,'' Cockburn said. ''You saw it, man. You saw how we reacted to it. I was in awe. Just being on the floor, watching it happen, being a part of it, it was a really good feeling.''
Cockburn went 8 for 9 from the field in his eighth double-double of the season, asserting himself in the middle after Illinois got off to a rough start. Ayo Dosunmu added 15 points, and Trent Frazier and Adam Miller each scored 14.
Illinois trailed by as many as 16 - it was so ugly that Underwood yelled ''What are we doing?'' at his team during a first-half timeout - before completely overpowering Northwestern (6-4, 3-3) in its fourth straight win.
Robbie Beran scored 11 points for the Wildcats in their third consecutive loss.
''To only score 13 points and have a couple field goals (in the second half), we just have to play better,'' coach Chris Collins said.
Northwestern closed the first half with a 12-1 run for a 43-28 lead. But the Wildcats looked tired down the stretch of their fourth straight game against a Top 25 team.
After a 3-pointer by Beran made it 48-41 with 14:19 left, the Illini grabbed control with a 25-2 run. Miller capped the decisive stretch with a 3 that made it 66-50 with 5:36 remaining.
''We came together,'' Cockburn said. ''We didn't hold our head down. We didn't sulk about anything. ... We just came out there and we swung back.''
WORTH WATCHING
Illinois senior Da'Monte Williams tweaked an ankle injury that Underwood said has been bothering him for about a month. Williams finished with six points on 2-for-5 shooting in 23 minutes.
''I don't know the severity of it,'' Underwood said. ''After we walked out of the locker room, he said he felt good.''
BIG PICTURE
Illinois: The Illini earned their fifth straight win in the series against the Wildcats. Once Cockburn got going inside, it was all over.
Northwestern: The Wildcats just fell apart in the second half. They shot 33% (18 for 55) for the game.
UP NEXT
Illinois: Hosts Maryland on Sunday night.
Northwestern: Visits Ohio State on Wednesday. The Wildcats beat the Buckeyes 71-70 on Dec. 26.
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Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap
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Copyright 2021 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 |
|
Kofi Cockburn vs. Pete Nance (Adam Miller gains possession) | ||
| 19:46 |
 |
Kofi Cockburn turnover (lost ball) (Chase Audige steals) | ||
| 19:44 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu personal foul (Chase Audige draws the foul) | ||
| 19:42 |
|
Miller Kopp misses two point jump shot | ||
| 19:40 |
|
Kofi Cockburn defensive rebound | ||
| 19:27 |
|
Chase Audige shooting foul (Kofi Cockburn draws the foul) | ||
| 19:27 |
|
+1 | Kofi Cockburn makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 1-0 |
| 19:27 |
|
Kofi Cockburn misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 19:27 |
|
Chase Audige defensive rebound | ||
| 19:11 |
|
Pete Nance misses three point jump shot | ||
| 19:09 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu defensive rebound | ||
| 19:01 |
|
Trent Frazier misses three point jump shot | ||
| 18:59 |
|
Robbie Beran defensive rebound | ||
| 18:56 |
|
Boo Buie turnover (out of bounds) | ||
| 18:41 |
|
Kofi Cockburn misses two point layup | ||
| 18:39 |
|
Pete Nance defensive rebound | ||
| 18:36 |
|
Chase Audige misses three point jump shot | ||
| 18:34 |
|
Fighting Illini defensive rebound | ||
| 18:22 |
|
+3 | Trent Frazier makes three point jump shot (Ayo Dosunmu assists) | 4-0 |
| 18:05 |
|
Boo Buie misses two point jump shot | ||
| 18:03 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu defensive rebound | ||
| 17:44 |
|
Adam Miller misses three point jump shot | ||
| 17:42 |
|
Kofi Cockburn offensive rebound | ||
| 17:37 |
|
+2 | Kofi Cockburn makes two point layup | 6-0 |
| 17:23 |
|
+2 | Pete Nance makes two point alley-oop dunk (Chase Audige assists) | 6-2 |
| 17:03 |
|
Da'Monte Williams turnover (out of bounds) | ||
| 16:51 |
|
Kofi Cockburn personal foul (Pete Nance draws the foul) | ||
| 16:37 |
|
Boo Buie misses two point jump shot | ||
| 16:35 |
|
Andre Curbelo defensive rebound | ||
| 16:25 |
|
Boo Buie personal foul (Ayo Dosunmu draws the foul) | ||
| 16:12 |
|
+2 | Giorgi Bezhanishvili makes two point hook shot (Andre Curbelo assists) | 8-2 |
| 15:59 |
|
+2 | Ryan Young makes two point layup | 8-4 |
| 15:46 |
|
Da'Monte Williams misses three point jump shot | ||
| 15:44 |
|
Ryan Greer defensive rebound | ||
| 15:39 |
|
Andre Curbelo blocks Robbie Beran's two point layup | ||
| 15:37 |
|
Andre Curbelo defensive rebound | ||
| 15:31 |
|
+2 | Ayo Dosunmu makes two point layup (Andre Curbelo assists) | 10-4 |
| 15:11 |
|
+2 | Chase Audige makes two point driving layup (Robbie Beran assists) | 10-6 |
| 14:51 |
|
+2 | Andre Curbelo makes two point floating jump shot | 12-6 |
| 14:50 |
|
TV timeout | ||
| 14:40 |
|
Andre Curbelo shooting foul (Miller Kopp draws the foul) | ||
| 14:40 |
|
+1 | Miller Kopp makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 12-7 |
| 14:40 |
|
Miller Kopp misses regular free throw 2 of 3 | ||
| 14:40 |
|
+1 | Miller Kopp makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 12-8 |
| 14:22 |
|
Adam Miller misses three point jump shot | ||
| 14:20 |
|
Giorgi Bezhanishvili offensive rebound | ||
| 14:07 |
|
Andre Curbelo turnover (traveling) | ||
| 13:55 |
|
+2 | Miller Kopp makes two point jump shot | 12-10 |
| 13:30 |
|
Ryan Young shooting foul (Coleman Hawkins draws the foul) | ||
| 13:30 |
|
+1 | Coleman Hawkins makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 13-10 |
| 13:30 |
|
Coleman Hawkins misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 13:30 |
|
Ryan Young defensive rebound | ||
| 13:09 |
|
+2 | Ryan Greer makes two point floating jump shot | 13-12 |
| 12:55 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu misses two point layup | ||
| 12:55 |
|
Wildcats defensive rebound | ||
| 12:39 |
|
+3 | Anthony Gaines makes three point jump shot (Ryan Young assists) | 13-15 |
| 12:31 |
|
Ryan Young personal foul (Kofi Cockburn draws the foul) | ||
| 12:24 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu misses two point jump shot | ||
| 12:22 |
|
Wildcats defensive rebound | ||
| 12:10 |
|
Pete Nance offensive foul (Andre Curbelo draws the foul) | ||
| 12:10 |
|
Pete Nance turnover | ||
| 11:46 |
|
Chase Audige shooting foul (Ayo Dosunmu draws the foul) | ||
| 11:46 |
|
TV timeout | ||
| 11:46 |
|
+1 | Ayo Dosunmu makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 14-15 |
| 11:46 |
|
+1 | Ayo Dosunmu makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 15-15 |
| 11:32 |
|
Trent Frazier personal foul (Boo Buie draws the foul) | ||
| 11:32 |
|
Da'Monte Williams shooting foul (Robbie Beran draws the foul) | ||
| 11:32 |
|
+1 | Robbie Beran makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 15-16 |
| 11:32 |
|
+1 | Robbie Beran makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 15-17 |
| 11:20 |
|
+2 | Kofi Cockburn makes two point dunk (Andre Curbelo assists) | 17-17 |
| 10:51 |
|
Pete Nance misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:49 |
|
Da'Monte Williams defensive rebound | ||
| 10:37 |
|
Trent Frazier turnover (bad pass) (Ty Berry steals) | ||
| 10:33 |
|
+2 | Anthony Gaines makes two point dunk (Ty Berry assists) | 17-19 |
| 10:22 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu turnover (bad pass) (Pete Nance steals) | ||
| 9:59 |
|
Pete Nance misses two point jump shot | ||
| 9:59 |
|
Da'Monte Williams defensive rebound | ||
| 9:59 |
|
Boo Buie shooting foul (Andre Curbelo draws the foul) | ||
| 9:59 |
|
+1 | Andre Curbelo makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 18-19 |
| 9:59 |
|
+1 | Andre Curbelo makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 19-19 |
| 9:42 |
|
+3 | Pete Nance makes three point jump shot (Ryan Greer assists) | 19-22 |
| 9:33 |
|
Trent Frazier turnover (bad pass) | ||
| 9:21 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu shooting foul (Robbie Beran draws the foul) | ||
| 9:21 |
|
Robbie Beran misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 9:21 |
|
+1 | Robbie Beran makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 19-23 |
| 8:54 |
|
Andre Curbelo misses two point layup | ||
| 8:52 |
|
Fighting Illini offensive rebound | ||
| 8:40 |
|
+3 | Adam Miller makes three point jump shot (Andre Curbelo assists) | 22-23 |
| 8:19 |
|
+2 | Pete Nance makes two point layup (Robbie Beran assists) | 22-25 |
| 8:08 |
|
Andre Curbelo turnover (bad pass) (Pete Nance steals) | ||
| 7:40 |
|
Robbie Beran misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:38 |
|
Giorgi Bezhanishvili defensive rebound | ||
| 7:14 |
|
Trent Frazier misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:12 |
|
Robbie Beran defensive rebound | ||
| 6:51 |
|
+3 | Robbie Beran makes three point jump shot (Pete Nance assists) | 22-28 |
| 6:22 |
|
Robbie Beran personal foul (Trent Frazier draws the foul) | ||
| 6:22 |
|
TV timeout | ||
| 6:23 |
|
+1 | Trent Frazier makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 23-28 |
| 6:23 |
|
+1 | Trent Frazier makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 24-28 |
| 6:13 |
|
Anthony Gaines turnover (lost ball) (Andre Curbelo steals) | ||
| 6:08 |
|
Andre Curbelo misses two point reverse layup | ||
| 6:06 |
|
Wildcats defensive rebound | ||
| 5:52 |
|
Ryan Young turnover (bad pass) | ||
| 5:41 |
|
Adam Miller misses three point jump shot | ||
| 5:39 |
|
Ryan Young defensive rebound | ||
| 5:24 |
|
+3 | Ryan Young makes three point jump shot (Pete Nance assists) | 24-31 |
| 5:08 |
|
+3 | Adam Miller makes three point jump shot (Andre Curbelo assists) | 27-31 |
| 4:55 |
|
Pete Nance misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:53 |
|
Anthony Gaines offensive rebound | ||
| 4:38 |
|
Ryan Greer misses two point jump shot | ||
| 4:36 |
|
Da'Monte Williams defensive rebound | ||
| 4:26 |
|
Da'Monte Williams turnover (bad pass) (Ryan Young steals) | ||
| 4:13 |
|
Pete Nance misses two point hook shot | ||
| 4:11 |
|
Ryan Young offensive rebound | ||
| 4:04 |
|
+2 | Ryan Young makes two point layup | 27-33 |
| 3:38 |
|
Andre Curbelo misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:36 |
|
Anthony Gaines defensive rebound | ||
| 3:32 |
|
+2 | Anthony Gaines makes two point layup | 27-35 |
| 3:32 |
|
Andre Curbelo shooting foul (Anthony Gaines draws the foul) | ||
| 3:32 |
|
TV timeout | ||
| 3:32 |
|
+1 | Anthony Gaines makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 27-36 |
| 3:09 |
|
Giorgi Bezhanishvili turnover (traveling) | ||
| 3:10 |
|
Fighting Illini 30 second timeout | ||
| 2:54 |
|
+3 | Ty Berry makes three point jump shot (Robbie Beran assists) | 27-39 |
| 2:46 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu turnover (bad pass) (Ty Berry steals) | ||
| 2:38 |
|
+2 | Ty Berry makes two point layup (Anthony Gaines assists) | 27-41 |
| 2:31 |
|
Trent Frazier misses three point jump shot | ||
| 2:29 |
|
Robbie Beran defensive rebound | ||
| 2:00 |
|
Ty Berry misses three point jump shot | ||
| 1:58 |
|
Anthony Gaines offensive rebound | ||
| 1:37 |
|
+2 | Miller Kopp makes two point layup (Robbie Beran assists) | 27-43 |
| 1:20 |
|
Adam Miller misses three point jump shot | ||
| 1:18 |
|
Ty Berry defensive rebound | ||
| 0:59 |
|
Robbie Beran misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:57 |
|
Trent Frazier defensive rebound | ||
| 0:54 |
|
Ty Berry shooting foul (Giorgi Bezhanishvili draws the foul) | ||
| 0:54 |
|
+1 | Giorgi Bezhanishvili makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 28-43 |
| 0:54 |
|
Giorgi Bezhanishvili misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 0:54 |
|
Da'Monte Williams offensive rebound | ||
| 0:42 |
|
Giorgi Bezhanishvili turnover (lost ball) (Miller Kopp steals) | ||
| 0:25 |
|
Pete Nance misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:23 |
|
Adam Miller defensive rebound | ||
| 0:03 |
|
Trent Frazier misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:01 |
|
Pete Nance defensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 |
|
End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:41 |
|
Boo Buie offensive foul (Da'Monte Williams draws the foul) | ||
| 19:41 |
|
Boo Buie turnover | ||
| 19:26 |
|
+3 | Trent Frazier makes three point jump shot (Ayo Dosunmu assists) | 31-43 |
| 19:03 |
|
Chase Audige misses two point jump shot | ||
| 19:01 |
|
Kofi Cockburn defensive rebound | ||
| 18:50 |
|
Da'Monte Williams misses three point jump shot | ||
| 18:48 |
|
Kofi Cockburn offensive rebound | ||
| 18:48 |
|
+2 | Kofi Cockburn makes two point putback layup | 33-43 |
| 18:48 |
|
Miller Kopp shooting foul (Kofi Cockburn draws the foul) | ||
| 18:48 |
|
+1 | Kofi Cockburn makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 34-43 |
| 18:39 |
|
Pete Nance misses two point jump shot | ||
| 18:37 |
|
Trent Frazier defensive rebound | ||
| 18:23 |
|
+2 | Ayo Dosunmu makes two point jump shot | 36-43 |
| 18:23 |
|
Wildcats 60 second timeout | ||
| 18:23 |
|
TV timeout | ||
| 18:08 |
|
Kofi Cockburn shooting foul (Pete Nance draws the foul) | ||
| 18:08 |
|
+1 | Pete Nance makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 36-44 |
| 18:08 |
|
+1 | Pete Nance makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 36-45 |
| 17:42 |
|
+2 | Adam Miller makes two point layup (Da'Monte Williams assists) | 38-45 |
| 17:35 |
|
Miller Kopp turnover (out of bounds) | ||
| 17:13 |
|
Da'Monte Williams misses two point layup | ||
| 17:11 |
|
Chase Audige defensive rebound | ||
| 17:02 |
|
Chase Audige turnover (traveling) | ||
| 16:42 |
|
Adam Miller misses three point jump shot | ||
| 16:40 |
|
Ryan Greer defensive rebound | ||
| 16:30 |
|
Chase Audige turnover (bad pass) (Jacob Grandison steals) | ||
| 16:23 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu misses three point jump shot | ||
| 16:21 |
|
Ryan Greer defensive rebound | ||
| 16:00 |
|
Ryan Greer misses two point jump shot | ||
| 15:58 |
|
Kofi Cockburn defensive rebound | ||
| 15:44 |
|
Ayo Dosunmu misses two point jump shot | ||
| 15:42 |
|
Robbie Beran defensive rebound | ||
| 15:20 |
|
Adam Miller personal foul | ||
| 15:20 |
|
TV timeout | ||
| 15:01 |
|
Boo Buie misses two point jump shot | ||
| 14:59 |
|
Ryan Young offensive rebound | ||
| 14:59 |
|
Giorgi Bezhanishvili blocks Ryan Young's two point layup | ||
| 14:59 |
|
Fighting Illini defensive rebound | ||
| 14:42 |
|
Andre Curbelo misses two point jump shot | ||
| 14:40 |
|
Jacob Grandison offensive rebound | ||
| 14:32 |
|
+3 | Trent Frazier makes three point jump shot (Jacob Grandison assists) | 41-45 |
| 14:20 |
|
+3 | Robbie Beran makes three point jump shot (Ryan Young assists) | 41-48 |
| 14:11 |
|
Boo Buie shooting foul (Trent Frazier draws the foul) | ||
| 14:11 |
|
+1 | Trent Frazier makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 42-48 |
| 14:11 |
|
+1 | Trent Frazier makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 43-48 |
| 14:11 |
|
+1 | Trent Frazier makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 44-48 |
| 13:58 |
|
Miller Kopp misses two point jump shot | ||
| 13:56 |
|
Andre Curbelo defensive rebound | ||
| 13:49 |
|
Andre Curbelo turnover (lost ball) (Ryan Young steals) | ||
| 13:36 |
|
Miller Kopp turnover (bad pass) (Jacob Grandison steals) | ||
| 13:30 |
|
+3 | Jacob Grandison makes three point jump shot (Andre Curbelo assists) | 47-48 |
| 12:59 |
|
Andre Curbelo personal foul | ||
| 12:52 |
|
Ryan Young turnover (traveling) | ||
| 12:29 |
|
+2 | Kofi Cockburn makes two point layup (Ayo Dosunmu assists) | 49-48 |
| 12:15 |
|
Ryan Young misses two point layup | ||
| 12:13 |
|
Jacob Grandison defensive rebound | ||
| 12:07 |
|
Adam Miller misses three point jump shot | ||
| 12:05 |
|
Kofi Cockburn offensive rebound | ||
| 12:00 |
|
+2 | Kofi Cockburn makes two point putback layup | 51-48 |
| 11:39 |
|
Chase Audige misses two point jump shot | ||
| 11:37 |
|
Kofi Cockburn defensive rebound | ||
| 11:20 |
|
Trent Frazier misses two point jump shot | ||
| 11:18 |
|
Kofi Cockburn offensive rebound | ||
| 11:15 |
|
+2 | Kofi Cockburn makes two point putback layup | 53-48 |
| 11:15 |
|
Anthony Gaines shooting foul (Kofi Cockburn draws the foul) | ||
| 11:15 |
|
TV timeout |