Illinois cruises to 3-0, tops Texas Southern

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois appears to have shaken out of its early season funk.

Dee Brown scored 14 points and James Augustine added 13 to lead No. 15 Illinois to a 93-59 rout of Texas Southern on Tuesday night.

"We were ready for whatever they threw at us," said Augustine. "Even when they came at us with zone (defense), we were a little more composed. We were a little more able to get the ball inside, swing it and know what to look for to get easy baskets."

Illinois (3-0) had been surprised by Texas-Pan American's zone defense on Sunday and struggled, falling behind by 10 points before pulling out a 71-59 victory. But Tuesday night, there were no surprises.

The Illini were in complete control after the first two minutes of the game. They broke it open with a 19-8 run early in the first half and then buried the Tigers (1-2) with a 33-6 run to begin the second half. They led by as many as 41 points.

"They were a blur. That's probably the fastest team we'll see all year," said Texas Southern coach Ronnie Courtney. "It's amazing how fast those big guys can move."

Brown also had six rebounds and five assists. Jamar Smith added 12, while Carter scored 11 and Arnold had 10.

Brian Randle, who struggled in his first two games after sitting out last season with an injury, scored six points. But he also had five assists two blocks and a steal that led to a crowd-pleasing dunk in the first half.

"I think I'm getting better," he said. "They just want me to come out from the get go, being in the game right away. ... It's my job day in and day out to go in there with intensity."

Illinois led 46-30 at halftime and held the Tigers to just eight points over the first 13 minutes of the second half.

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Tuesday's scores

Men

OVC

Tennessee Tech 117, Bluefield College 85

Murray State 76, Campbelsville 51

Kent State 94, Austin Peay 67

St. Louis 69, Eastern Illinois 45

Top 25

No. 2 Texas 68, No. 18 Iowa 59

No. 3 Connecticut vs. No. 9 Arizona, late

No. 7 Kentucky 80, No. 13 West Virginia 66

No. 8 Gonzaga 109, No. 12 Michigan State 106, 3OT

No. 10 Boston College 92, Buffalo 63

No. 15 Illinois 93, Texas Southern 59

Bucknell 74, No. 17 Syracuse 69

No. 23 Maryland 98, Chaminade 69

No. 25 Washington 90, Idaho 67

Notables

Arkansas 65, Kansas 64

Cincinnati 76, Illinois St. 59

North Carolina 112, Cleveland St. 55

Notre Dame 69, Hofstra 50

Ohio St. 79, Butler 69, OT

Oklahoma St. 90, Detroit 56

Tennessee 83, Louisiana-Lafayette 76

Women

OVC

Southern Illinois 94, Murray State 77

Belmont 75, Tennessee State 54

Tennessee-Martin 75, Kentucky Wesleyan 63

Troy 81, Jacksonville State 79