Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Lose to Illinois
2/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2003
Bloomington, Ind. - The Hoosiers dropped a tough Big Ten road match to the Fighting Illini in Champaign, Ill., Tuesday. Despite just a three point deficit with five minutes remaining in the first half, the Hoosiers could not control the gap as the Illini jumped to a nine-point, 39-30 lead by halftime. Before the game's end, the Illini would hold a 29-point lead before the final buzzer sounded to make the score 80-54.
With the loss, the Hoosiers fall to 16-10, 6-7 in the Big Ten while Illinois improves to 19-5, 9-4 in league play.
IU senior Jeff Newton was the only Hoosier in double figures, contributing 11 points to the effort. Both George Leach and Tom Coverdale added nine points. No Hoosier player had more than three rebounds as Newton, Leach, Sean Kline and Kyle Hornsby grabbed three boards apiece.
Despite only two baskets from the field - both of which came from beyond the three point line - Bracey Wright became the first freshman since A.J. Guyton (1996-97) to hit at least 50 three-pointers in a season.
With one block against the Illini, Jeff Newton ties the IU record for career blocks. He and former Hoosier Alan Henderson are tied for the record with 213.
The Hoosiers return home for a Big Ten matchup with Iowa on Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in Bloomington. The game will be aired live on ESPN.
