Illinois Tops Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 66-46

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Career rebounding nights from forward Tyler Griffey and center Meyers Leonard led to a big night in the paint as Illinois defeated Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 66-46.

The Illini (2-0) took advantage of their taller roster to total 48 rebounds, more than in any game all last season. The 6-foot-8 Griffey had 14 rebounds and the 7 -1 Leonard had 11 as both set career highs.

The Cougars (2-1), who have only one player taller than 6-6, were led by 13 points from Mark Yelovich and 12 from Corey Wickware. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville fell to 0-11 all time against Big Ten opponents, suffering its first defeat of the season after winning its first two games and two exhibitions.

The game broke open after the Illini went on an 11-0 run midway through the second half to take a 55-37 lead after the Cougars had pulled within seven.

A pair of 7-0 runs gave Illinois a 26-23 advantage heading into halftime. Junior guard D.J. Richardson led the way with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the opening half, including going 3-for-4 from behind the arc.

Richardson, who struggled with his shot throughout Friday's regular-season opener against Loyola, finished with 20 points, tying a career high.

The game marked each team's first in the Cancun Challenge, which includes eight Division I teams, with eight games played in the U.S. and then eight in Cancun, Mexico.

The Illini rode their height advantage to 11 blocks, including five from Leonard, and overcame 22 turnovers, including 13 in the second half.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.