Strong second half lifts Illinois past Iowa

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. --Illinois shot 55.4 percent from the floor in the game, including 62.5 percent in the second half to beat Iowa 81-68 tonight at Asssembly Hall.

Iowa now has lost 21 of 22 in Champaign and 60 of 74 historically.

Mike Tisdale led the Illini with 25 points, while Mike Davis scored 20. Demetri McCamey added 18.

Melsahn Basabe scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Iowa.

Here's a first-half-recap:

 Iowa twice rallied from double-digit deficits to trail only 36-31 at halftime tonight against Illinois at Assembly Hall.

The Illini started the game on a 10-0 run, but the Hawkeyes regained their composure and put together a 13-3 run to tie the game. Then Illinois answered with a 16-2 run to take a commanding 29-15 lead with 5:33 left in the half.

Iowa fought back to finish the half on a 15-7 run. An ailing Bryce Cartwright drilled a 3-pointer as time expired to cut Illinois' lead to 36-31.

Illinois hit 16-of-32 shots in the first half, while Iowa connected on 38.7 percent of its shots. Jarryd Cole leads Iowa with seven points. Mike Davis has 11 for Illinois.

Iowa has lost 20 of its last 21, including nine straight, at Assembly Hall.