Rounding into form? No. 12 Illinois builds double-digit halftime lead over No. 19 Wisconsin
Illinois has opened up a 13-point lead over No. 19 Wisconsin at halftime.
The Illini dominated in the first half over the Badgers, shooting 48 percent from the floor en route to a 36-23 halftime lead.
This performance has been keyed by Illinois’ defense, which limited Wisconsin to 30 percent shooting from the floor and zero made 3-pointers on nine attempts.
Illinois also out-rebounded Wisconsin by a staggering amount — 27 to 11. That helped make up for nine first half turnovers from the Illini.
Illinois center Kofi Cockburn has been the most productive player in this game so far. He already has a double-double, totaling 12 points and 10 rebounds in the first half.
Guard Ayo Dosunmu has also been sensational. He has 13 points on seven shots and has added eight rebounds and four assists.
Cockburn and Dosunmu actually out-scored and out-rebounded Wisconsin by themselves in the first half.
For Wisconsin, no players have scored in double figures so far. D’Mitrik Trice is the closest with nine points on eight shots. The Badgers recorded just two assists in the first half.