Richardson leads No. 24 Illini over Coppin State

[December 12, 2011]  CHAMPAIGN (AP) -- D.J. Richardson scored 20 points to lead four players in double figures and No. 24 Illinois beat Coppin State 80-63 on Sunday night.

Illinois (10-0) hung on to remain one of nine undefeated teams in the nation despite the Eagles' hot shooting and pesky 2-3 zone defense.

Tony Gallo scored 21 points for Coppin State (3-5), which made 10 3-pointers.

After Illinois jumped out to a 17-point lead in the opening minutes of the second half, Coppin State went on a 20-5 run to cut the lead to 59-57.

Illinois responded with a 13-3 burst after Illinois center Meyers Leonard and Coppin State guard Taariq Cephas both received technical fouls when the two got tangled up and exchanged words.

Following the pair of technicals, Illinois head coach Bruce Weber switched to a four-guard rotation alongside Leonard, and the group provided enough offense down the stretch to seal the win.

Leonard had 18 points and 11 rebounds for his second career double-double, while guards Sam Maniscalco and Brandon Paul each scored 12 points for Illinois.

The Illini rebounded from one of their worst shooting performances with one of their best.

After shooting 32 percent from the floor and 27 percent from behind the arc against St. Bonaventure on Wednesday, Illinois shot 31 of 55 (56 percent) against Coppin State, including 10 of 22 (46 percent) from 3-point range.

Maniscalco had five assists and no turnovers, while the rest of the team had 21 assists and nine turnovers.

Coach Bruce Weber had said before the game that he hoped Sunday's contest would be an opportunity for his largely inexperienced reserves to get more playing time, but Illinois had to depend largely on its starting rotation.

The Illini's reserves had only 10 points, including just two in the first half.

The 10 victories to start the season marks the best opening for an Illini team since 2005, and it is the fourth-longest winning streak for Illinois under Weber.

Illinois takes on UNLV on Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, while Coppin State hosts Towson on Wednesday.

[Associated Press]

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