Illini Slide By Indiana-Pennsylvania, 94-79
By Jeff Mayfield

[October 30, 2021]  The Illinois Fighting Illini were sluggish Friday night in their 2nd exhibition outing but had enough fire-power to dispose of Indiana-Pennsylvania 94-79. It does give them several things to clean-up and some things to work on.

Kofi Cockburn led the way going for 21points and 8 rebounds, while Coleman Hawkins and Alfonso Plummer chipped in 16 points a piece [and Hawkins pulled down 9 rebounds of his own]. Plummer stoked excitement throughout the crowd that he may well be the sharp shooting sniper the Illini have been missing!

Two other Illini found double figures as Andre Curbelo tallied 14 points and 12 assists and Jacob Grandison tossed in 13 points while grabbing 5 rebounds.

Illinois was short-handed playing without the services of injured players Da’Monte Williams and Austin Hutcherson while Trent Frazier only logged 4 minutes after going down with a shoulder injury. Hopefully all three will heal up this week & be ready when the season tips next month.

The Illini have several days off to work on many areas of concern and do not open the season until November 9 versus Jackson State.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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