Donta Scott scored a career-high 25 points and Maryland took advantage of Kofi Cockburn's absence in an 81-65 victory over No. 17 Illinois on Friday night.
Cockburn was out with a concussion, and the Illini (13-5, 6-2 Big Ten) lost for the second consecutive game after winning six straight. It was a much-needed victory for Maryland, which has struggled all season and already went through a coaching change when Mark Turgeon exited in early December.
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Donta Scott scored a career-high 25 points and Maryland took advantage of Kofi Cockburn's absence in an 81-65 victory over No. 17 Illinois on Friday night.
Illinois has not won at Maryland since 2011. The Terps are 4-0 at home against the Illini since joining the Big Ten.
Fatts Russell had 15 points for the Terps and Qudus Wahab added 11.
Maryland: The Terrapins have taken their lumps under interim coach Danny Manning, but they deserved this win, and an 11-0 run to finish the game felt a bit cathartic for the home crowd.
Maryland: The Terps play at Rutgers on Tuesday night. The Scarlet Knights beat Maryland 70-59 last Saturday.
Alfonso Plummer scored 18 points for Illinois, which was coming off a double-overtime loss to No. 4 Purdue on Monday night. The Illini got Andre Curbelo back in that game after he'd been out since November with his own concussion-related issues. Then they had to face Maryland (10-9, 2-6) without Cockburn, their star big man.
Maryland guard Hakim Hart, top, drops a dunk in front of Illinois Fighting guard Trent Frazier (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
Illinois has not won at Maryland since 2011. The Terps are 4-0 at home against the Illini since joining the Big Ten.
This loss also snapped a six-game winning streak for Illinois in Big Ten road games.
The Illini led 56-52 before Maryland took the lead with a 12-2 run. Scott capped that stretch with a layup and a three-point play.
Illinois Fighting guard Andre Curbelo (5) goes up for a shot against Maryland guard Marcus Dockery during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
Fatts Russell had 15 points for the Terps and Qudus Wahab added 11.
BIG PICTURE
Illinois: The Illini can't seem to get all their top players on the court for very long. They lost to Marquette earlier this season without Cockburn, and their inability to beat a Maryland team near the bottom of the conference standings showed how valuable he is.
Illinois Fighting guard Da'Monte Williams shoots a basket against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
Maryland: The Terrapins have taken their lumps under interim coach Danny Manning, but they deserved this win, and an 11-0 run to finish the game felt a bit cathartic for the home crowd.
UP NEXT
Illinois: The Illini host No. 14 Michigan State on Tuesday night.
Illinois Fighting guard Trent Frazier signals while dribbling against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
Maryland: The Terps play at Rutgers on Tuesday night. The Scarlet Knights beat Maryland 70-59 last Saturday.
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Maryland forward Qudus Wahab, left, and Illinois Fighting forward Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk compete for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)