Kofi Cockburn scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double, and Illinois breezed to an 88-63 victory over Missouri on Wednesday night in the 41st edition of the Braggin’ Rights game.
It was the 35th double-double of Cockburn’s career — fifth all time for the Fighting Illini (9-3). Cockburn came into the game averaging 21.4 points per game — fifth best in the nation — and 11.9 rebounds — third best. Cockburn and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies’ Jamal Cain are the only two players averaging double-doubles.
Alfonso Plummer pitched in with 22 points for Illinois. But he saw his run of 35 straight made free throws — the second longest streak in Illini history — end on his third attempt against Missouri (6-6). Trent Frazier added 15 points.
Cockburn and Plummer both scored 10 first-half points to help the Illini take a 40-26 lead at the break. Illinois flirted with its largest margin of victory in the series — a 32-point win in 2005 — before Missouri scored the final eight points of the game.
Illinois shot 57% overall and 48% from 3-point range (12 of 25). It was the sixth straight game that the Illini made at least 11 3-pointers. Illinois sank a school-record 18 in a 106-48 win over St. Francis (Pa.) its last game after making 16 3s in an 83-79 loss to No. 11 Arizona.
Jarron Coleman led Missouri with 16 points off the bench. Kobe Brown scored 13, but he made just 5 of 17 shots, including 1 of 7 3-point attempts. Trevon Brazile scored 11.