Illini’s Scalding Hot Shooting Drubs St. Francis, PA, 106-48
Lincoln’s Brian Cook on hand for the Celebration
By Jeff Mayfield

[December 20, 2021]   Sometimes you just need a game to blow the cobwebs out and get it all out of your system, and Saturday’s drubbing of St. Francis 106-48 was just such a game. The Illini connected on a school record 18 3-point field goals while blistering the nets at a 53% clip from distance and shot a whopping 66% from the field for the game while scoring 59 2nd half points.

Was all that good fortune due to the fact that Lincoln’s own Brian Cook was in the house for the contest? It may well have as Cook always brought good vibes into the ‘House of Payne,’ every time he set foot in the building, and Saturday was no exception. I was able to catch up with Brian before and during the contest and will soon post a story updating you loyal LDN readers on Cook’s whereabouts and doings in an upcoming, Where Are They Now segment.

As for the contest at hand, though the Illini started slow, they were never really threatened in this one.

Kofi Cockburn led the way with guess what? Yes, another double-double finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds. It was his 34th career double-double the most in the country amongst active players since 2019! Alphonso Plummer continued his scintillating shooting and had 19 on the day, all before intermission. He also converted some more free throws, if you know what I mean. And Jacob Grandison also stayed hot with 18 points which put him over 1,000 career points.

What brought Cook back to Champaign from his home out West was the celebration honoring the back to back Big Ten Champions from 2000 and 2001-a couple of the funnest, fan-favorite Illini teams of All-Time! Cook’s mother, Joyce, was also on hand for the festivities.

The Illini improved their overall record to 8-3 and remain 2-0 in Big Ten play.

Next up for the Illini to tackle is the Braggin’ Rights game versus Missouri Wednesday night in St. Louis.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

Respond to the writer at [e-mail].