Jan. 5, 2010
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – Freshman D. J. Richardson scored 17 to lead Illinois to a 59-42 Big Ten win over struggling Iowa Tuesday.
Richardson started the game on the bench for the first time in his college career. But he entered the game early for Illinois (10-5, 2-0) and hit five 3-pointers. He was 6-for-11 from the floor.
The Illini went on a 20-1 run early in the first half to open up a 22-4 lead that Iowa (5-10, 0-3) couldn’t overcome.
Iowa closed to within 39-24 early in the second half but pushed no closer.
Illinois moved into a tie atop the conference with Purdue and Wisconsin.
The Hawkeyes were led by Eric May’s 9 points. They have lost five of their last eight games and are last in the Big Ten.