CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Brian Cook scored 26 of his 30 points in the second half Wednesday night as No. 14 Illinois rallied from an 11-point deficit to end Michigan's 13-game winning streak with a 67-60 Big Ten Conference victory.
Illinois (15-3, 5-2 Big Ten) was in desperate need of a victory as it was in danger of falling three games behind front-running Michigan in the conference standings. Cook turned in a poor first half as the Fighting Illini had trouble scoring and trailed for the final 10 minutes of the period.
Michigan (13-7, 6-1) stifled Illinois through most of the game with a 2-3 zone and took its largest lead at 39-28 on freshman Graham Brown's basket with 17:18 remaining. Another hoop by Brown still had the Wolverines up, 47-39, with just over nine minutes to play.
Illinois freshman James Augustine then scored inside and Cook was fouled hard by Michigan's Bernard Robinson Jr., who compounded his mistake by getting whistled for a technical foul. Cook made all four free throws and later hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 51-50.
Cook scored on a power move with just under four minutes left that gave Illinois the lead for good at 57-56. The preseason Big Ten Player of the Year added back-to-back baskets for a 64-59 cushion with 55 seconds to go.
The Fighting Illini extended their home winning streak to 13 games and have won six straight from the Wolverines.
