Illinois surpasses school record with 18-0 start

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Luther Head's high-rising moves to the rim and soft jumpers from the perimeter led No. 1 Illinois to another victory and a place in the school's record books.

"We love it. We've done something no one else has done," Head said Saturday after the Illini's 78-66 win over Northwestern gave them an 18-0 record -- the best start in school history.

"Just to accomplish something no one has, we've got something to talk about. But we still have a lot left to accomplish," said Head, who finished with a season-high 26 points, 17 in the second half.

The Illini had tied the school's 1988-89 Final Four team on Wednesday with their 17th straight win. Now, the record's all theirs.

The 6-foot-3 Head used his great leaping ability to score from the inside, hit four 3-pointers and played hustling defense for the Illini, who finally pulled away in the latter stages of the second half against the scrappy Wildcats (8-8, 1-3 Big Ten).

"The whole team loves challenges. We play well when there is something to prove," said Head, who scored a total of seven points in two games against Northwestern last season.

On Saturday, he was 9-for-14 from the field.

"Nobody cares who the high scorer is. We've got a lot of guys who can score," he said.

In a boisterous Welsh-Ryan Arena filled with both purple-clad Northwestern students and orange-wearing Illini followers, Illinois trailed only twice -- early in the game -- and led by eight at halftime.

Last season in Evanston, Illinois was ahead of Northwestern by nine at the half, but the Wildcats rallied for a 10-point victory.

Not this time. Illinois' experience and poise kept it from happening again, even though Head and Deron Williams picked up their third fouls early in the second half.

"The big difference is that we're a year older and we understand what it means to win on the road," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said.

Roger Powell scored 15 points and Dee Brown had 12 for the Illini, who are 4-0 in the Big Ten.