COL BKB: Illinois 64, Cornell 60

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson made big baskets down the stretch Monday and No. 24 Illinois held on for a 64-60 victory over Cornell.

Paul (15 points) drained two straight jump shots to hand Illinois a 60-58 lead with 1:16 remaining and Richardson (17 points) connected for a score on the next possession, icing the victory.

Meyers Leonard notched a double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Illini (11-1), who came back from a 10-point, first-half deficit and barely avoided their first home loss of the season.

Josh Figini led the Big Red (4-5) with 14 points.