Illinois' Alfonso Plummer advances the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Notre Dame Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Kofi Cockburn scored 28 points, Alfonso Plummer added 21 and Illinois defeated Notre Dame 82-72 on Monday night in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Cockburn, a preseason All-American and player of the year candidate, leads the nation in scoring at 26.6 points per game. He did not take a shot in the first 12 minutes but finished the first half with 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting. For the game, he was 11 of 16 from the field and made 6 of 9 free throws.
Cockburn scored eight points early in the second half and his dunk with 14:50 remaining gave the Illini a 56-43 lead. Jacob Grandison's 3-pointer extended the lead to 59-43.
At that point, the pace slowed down for Illinois and Notre Dame drew within 67-62 when Cormac Ryan hit a 3-pointer with just under six minutes to go.
Illinois (4-2) pushed the lead to 71-63 at the final official timeout then made 11 of 12 free throws in the final three minutes, including 8 for 8 by Plummer.
Freshman Blake Wesley led Notre Dame with a season-high 24 points off the bench. Dane Goodwin had 15 points and Nate Leszewski scored 13 for the Fighting Irish (3-3).
The matchup paired two of the top 15 schools in all-time victories. With 1,840 wins, Illinois is 15th on the list and Notre Dame is eighth with 1,918 wins.
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Illinois' Kofi Cockburn reacts to an official's call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Notre Dame Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press
Notre Dame's Blake Wesley (0) Illinois' Kofi Cockburn (21) and Illinois' Jacob Grandison vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press
Illinois' Alfonso Plummer (11) attempts a layup as Notre Dame's Paul Atkinson Jr. (20) and Blake Wesley defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press
Illinois' Alfonso Plummer (11) drives into Notre Dame's Trey Wertz during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press
Notre Dame's coach Mike Brey signals during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press
Illinois' Andre Curbelo dances while in street clothes before an NCAA college basketball game against Notre Dame Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press
Illinois fans read the Daily Illini student newspaper as the Notre Dame players are introduced before an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
The Associated Press