Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Lose To Illinois
3/6/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO (AP) -Lucas Johnson got his share of floor burns Friday night but the freshman's hustling and rugged play also got Illinois another stunning victory in the Big Ten tournament.
Johnson, diving for loose balls and chasing rebounds to all corners of the United Center, scored a career-high 17 points as the Illini upset No. 17 Indiana 82-66.
One night after they ousted No. 23 Minnesota, the inspired Illini pulled away in the second half behind the play of Johnson, 6-foot-10 center Fess Hawkins and freshman guard Cory Bradford.
Hawkins had a career-high 16 points and Bradford, the star of Thursday's upset of Minnesota, scored all 15 of his points in the second half. Sergio McClain added 13 points and keyed Illinois' defense.
Illinois twice during the regular season, got 19 points from Larry Richardson and 15 from A.J. Guyton, who shot just 5-of-13. Leading scorer Luke Recker was held to seven points, nearly 10 under his average.
Illinois also dominated the rebounding, 51-26, with a 22-7 edge on the offensive boards.
Johnson's 3-pointer, a jumper and 3-pointer from Bradford, Victor Chukwudebe's layup and a basket by Robert Archibald started the Illini on a 12-2 run opening the second half and gave them a 47-33 lead.
Bradford connected again from 3-point range to build the lead to 54-39 with just under 11 minutes remaining, and the Illini led again by 15 on a basket by Hawkins.
But Guyton's 3-pointer capped a quick 7-0 spurt and brought the Hoosiers within eight as a large and noisy Indiana contingent at the United Center came to life.
But just as quickly, the Illini regained control. Hawkins and Johnson made two free throws each and McClain drove the middle, hit the basket and then converted a three-point play.
That gave the Illini a 63-48 lead with just more than six minutes left.
Bradford, whose six 3-pointers paced the win over Minnesota, went to the bench four minutes into the game after picking up his second foul and was scoreless in the first half.
Illinois led 35-31 at the half
