Illini maintain Braggin' Rights against Mizzou

ST. LOUIS -- Youth was served at the annual Braggin' Rights game.

Dee Brown had 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds to lead a lineup that included three freshmen as No. 12 Illinois, often dominating play, beat No. 11 Missouri 85-70 on Saturday.

"We controlled all aspects of the game, in my opinion," Brown said. "We played great and we did a great job of rebounding and getting loose balls."

Illinois (8-0) has won the last three games in the neutral-site series, which again played to a sellout crowd of 22,153 at Savvis Center. It was the first time both teams were unbeaten since 1989.

"It needs to hurt and it does hurt," Missouri coach Quin Snyder said. "It's a crummy way to go into your Christmas. I thought we were ready to play."

Brown and Ricky Clemons played to a virtual standstill in a battle of point guards. Clemons had 16 points and three assists and hit four 3-pointers, while Brown made quick recovery from a shoulder injury early in the second half, missing only about 2 1/2 minutes.

"When Dee is making shots, I like him even more than I did when I said he was the most important signee at Illinois," coach Bill Self said. "I know he's only a freshman and lot of notoriety has come his way, but he deserves every bit of it."

But Illinois excelled inside against an experienced Missouri front line, outrebounding the Tigers 42-32. Brian Cook barely missed his second straight double-double with 17 points, hitting all 10 free throws, and nine rebounds. Five others contributed four or more rebounds apiece.

"Offensively, that was the best we've rebounded all year," Self said. "Our guys inside were very active."

Missouri (6-1) felt the rebound count was indicative of getting outhustled in their biggest game of the season to date.

"That hurts to say," forward Travon Bryant said. "That's what we're proud of, being a hustle team that gets to rebounds, loose balls and second-chance shots."

Missouri's Arthur Johnson, who entered the game with four double-doubles in the last five games, got into early foul trouble and never got into the flow, finishing with eight points and three rebounds. He had been averaging 17 points and eight boards, but often faced double-teaming.

"He came back in the second half and was really pressing," Snyder said. "He's in the locker room with his head in a towel crying, because it means something to him."

Missouri's Rickey Paulding matched his average with 17 points, but was no factor most of the game. Freshman Jimmy McKinney, the Tigers' first St. Louis city recruit in 30 years, added 15 points.

Illinois shot 45 percent overall, Missouri a season-worst 37.7 percent. Illinois also helped itself at the line, going 21-for-25.

Illinois led 39-32 at halftime, and stretched the lead to 59-41 with a 9-0 run early in the second half. The run came with Cook, the team's leading scorer with a 20.6-point average, out with three fouls.

Missouri closed to 11 points with seven straight points, but couldn't get any closer than nine the rest of the way.

A 14-3 run over a five-minute stretch gave Illinois control in the first half. The Illini had four 3-pointers, including two straight by Brown, to go ahead 20-14 with 10:35 left.

Missouri closed to 34-32 on five straight points by McKinney, a 3-pointer and fastbreak layup with 2:27 to go, before Illinois recovered for the seven-point halftime lead.