Griffin scores 15 to lead Illinois over Old Dominion 69-55

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Alan Griffin scored 15 points and Ayo Dosunmu added 14 and Illinois beat Old Dominion 69-55 on Saturday.

Seven-foot freshman center Kofi Cockburn scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Illinois (8-3), narrowly missing his seventh double-double.

A.J. Oliver II led Old Dominion (3-8) with a game-high 17 points. Xavier Green added 13 points for the Monarchs.

Illinois guard Da’Monte Williams left the game midway through the first half with what appeared to be a separated shoulder. Williams, in obvious pain, was taken to the locker room and returned to the game a few minutes later after receiving medical attention.

The Illini led 40-25 at the half, holding the Monarchs scoreless the final 3:21 before the break. Illinois opened the game with a 7-0 run and led 13-4 less. Cockburn was everywhere, blocking shots on one end and dunking the ball on the other. The big man had nine points and three rebounds at the break.

BIG PICTURE

Old Dominion: Acquitted itself nicely against a bigger and more athletic Big Ten Conference foe but couldn’t overcome a typically fierce Illinois defense.

Illinois: Did what it had to do, winning a game it should have won and overcoming what might have been a hangover after defeating No. 3 Michigan on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Old Dominion travels to Richmond on Wednesday.

Illinois plays another non-conference game at Missouri on Dec. 21.

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