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McCamey, Illini easily cruise past Wildcats

Jan 7, 2011 - 4:42 AM Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - Demetri McCamey finished with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds, and No. 20 Illinois couldn't miss in the first half to cruise past Northwestern, 88-63.

Mike Davis also filled the stat sheet with 12 points, seven boards and seven helpers for the Fighting Illini (13-3, 3-0 Big Ten), who shot 82-percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes en route to a comfortable 23-point lead.

Mike Tisdale added 13 points, while Jereme Richmond and Meyers Leonard each netted 11 in Illinois' third straight win following setbacks to UIC and Missouri.

The Wildcats (9-4, 0-3) struggled to a 34-percent shooting effort and were led by JerShon Cobb's 18 points. Northwestern started the season 9-1 before losing to nationally-ranked Purdue and Michigan State to open Big Ten play.

Illinois shot a staggering 18-of-22 from the field in the first half, including a 6-of-7 showing behind the arc. Four players scored at least six points during the 20-minute offensive showcase, highlighted by all 10 of D.J. Richardson's 10 points.

Richardson, McCamey and Bill Cole each hit from long range during a game- opening 14-5 stretch, and a 13-0 run before the midway point gave the Illini plenty of breathing room.

Richmond's three-point play concluded the flurry for a 29-10 cushion with under 12 minutes remaining in the half, which ended in two Davis free throws for a 47-24 advantage.

The hosts scored the first five points of the second stanza, and a Tisdale bucket less than five minutes in pushed the margin to an insurmountable 61-29.

Game Notes

Illinois is in action next Tuesday at Penn State, while Northwestern looks to rebound at home against Indiana on Sunday...Illinois, which shot 71-percent overall, had 25 assists and 31 made field goals...Michael Thompson scored 15 points for the Wildcats...Illinois has won 28 of the last 29 against Northwestern at Assembly Hall.