Box Score

By JOHN KELLY
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Cory Bradford scored 22 points as Illinois overcame a pitiful shooting night to beat Michigan 75-59 Wednesday at Assembly Hall.

The sophomore guard hit four 3-pointers to keep his team in control of a game in which the Illini shot 27 percent in the first half.

Illinois (14-7 overall, 6-4 Big Ten) avenged its 95-91 overtime loss in Ann Arbor on Jan. 16 to win for the fifth time in six games.

Michigan (12-8, 3-6) has lost five straight, three without leading scorer Jamal Crawford, who sat out his third game for NCAA rules violations.

Neither team could find the basket early. Illinois missed 11 of its first 13 shots, including nine errant 3-point attempts. The Illini managed 3 points in the game's first 10 minutes. The Wolverines struggled too, and led just 12-3.

Illinois hit six straight free throws in an 11-2 run that ended at the 7:26 mark when Corey Bradford made his team's first 3-pointer to tie the game at 14. The Illini took advantage of Michigan turnovers to build a 34-28 halftime lead.

Illinois outscored Michigan 7-1 to start the second half but could not finish off the Wolverines. Sophomore Chris Young got Michigan back in the game by scoring all seven points in a spurt that got his team within 57-50 with seven minutes left.

Illinois climbed out of reach with just under four minutes to go on a 3-pointer by Bradford and a layup by Marcus Griffin, who made an earlier-than-expected return from knee surgery and came off the bench to score eight points. That gave Illinois a commanding 68-55 lead.

Kevin Gaines led Michigan with 15 points, and Leon Jones added 12.

Damir Krupalija also came off the bench strong for Illinois, scoring 10 points.