Box Score

By JOHN KELLY
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - The replacements helped win another game for Illinois on Thursday. This time, it was a 73-59 win victory over Minnesota behind 16 points from fill-in freshman Brian Cook.

Cook, the freshman who has scored in double figures in all four games he's started in relief of the injured Marcus Griffin, scored 12 of his points in the first half and the rest during a key second-half run that finished the Gophers.

Another sub, sophomore Lucas Johnson, had eight points and three steals after replacing forward Damir Krupalija, who sprained his ankle.

For Illinois (12-7 overall, 4-4 Big Ten), the victory was its third in four games. Minnesota (11-8, 3-6) is yet to win on the road in the Big Ten this year.

Kevin Burleson hit a 3-pointer to open the game, but Minnesota didn't score again for more than seven minutes. Every Gopher who got the ball in the paint met two or more Illini defenders for much of the first half.

Three blocked shots and a slew of Gopher turnovers helped Illinois to 20 straight points. Freshman Frank Williams capped that run by stealing a pass at midcourt and tossing the ball up for a one-man alley oop dunk.

Minnesota turned the ball over 11 times in the first half, but seven were steals as Illinois took a 39-28 lead at the half.

Four minutes into the second half, it was Illinois that couldn't get a shot. Minnesota's Terrance Simmons hit a 3-pointer and another jumper as the Gophers cut the lead to 39-36. Lucas Johnson's 3-pointer from the corner stopped that spurt.

But Minnesota stayed close until about midway through the second period, when Illinois' three-point shooters got hot. Williams, Corey Bradford and Cleotis Brown each hit 3s during a 20-6 run that ended with Illinois ahead 67-50 with just under five minutes left. Minnesota never got within 10 points again.

Williams finished with his first college double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Simmons led Minnesota with 17 points.

The injury-riddled Illini may have lost another starter, however. Krupalija sprained his right ankle tumbling into a defender on a layup. Illinois officials said Krupalija's status would be evaluated Thursday.