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Sports

Joseph Bertrand scores 20 points as Illinois easily beats Jacksonville St. 86-62

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Jacksonville ST Illinois Basketball
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    Jacksonville State forward Nick Cook (33) gets between Illinois forward/center Nnanna Egwu (32) and Jacksonville State forward/center Jamal Hunter (32) battling for a second-half rebound in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Rick Danzl) (The Associated Press)

  • 6c8be2ad-Jacksonville ST Illinois basketball
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    Illinois guard Tracy Abrams (13) and Jacksonville State's Teraes Clemmons chase a lose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Rick Danzl) (The Associated Press)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Senior guard Joseph Bertrand scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Illinois over Jacksonville State 86-62 Sunday at State Farm Center.

The Illini (2-0) never trailed, jumping out to a 12-1 lead in the first five minutes of the game and leading 40-27 at the half. Junior guards Rayvon Rice and Tracy Abrams each scored 13 points.

Rice scored a team-high 22 points on Friday night in his Illini debut against Alabama State, equaling the most points in an Illini debut since Brandon Paul in 2009.

Nnanna Egwu and Jaylon Tate each added 10 points for Illinois. Egwu also blocked five shots, tying his career high. The Illini blocked 11 shots in the game, the most under second-year coach John Groce.

The Gamecocks (0-2) were led by senior guard Brian Williams, who scored 12. Senior forward D. J. Felder grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Jacksonville State. Sunday's game was only the third game Jacksonville State had played against a Big Ten opponent in school history, losing to Michigan State in 2002 and Nebraska last year.

Felder and junior guard Darion Rackley each scored 10 points for Jacksonville State.

Illinois started the second half 0 for 6 from the field, including a missed dunk by 6-11 center Nnanna Egwu, before settling down. The Illini didn't commit a turnover in the second half, and played all 11 available players throughout the game, often substituting three and four at a time.

Jacksonville pulled to within 40-33 at 16:34 of the second half on two three-pointers by Williams, who ended up 2-5 from beyond the stripe.

Illinois shot 52 percent from the field (32-61) while Jacksonville shot only 33 percent (23-70). The Illini also outscored the Gamecocks 40-28 in the paint, led by Egwu's 5 of 8 shooting and some aggressive play inside by Illinois' big men.

Sunday's win marks the 14th straight season the Illini have started the season with at least two straight wins. Illinois has also won 24 straight home games against non-conference opponents, dating back to the NIT tournament in 2010.

Jacksonville travels to Chicago State on Tuesday while Illinois hosts Valparaiso on Wednesday.