Illinois Victory Ranks Up There

Luther Head scored 17 points and Dee Brown had 15 points and nine assists as Illinois celebrated its new No. 1 ranking with a 78-59 victory over Chicago State on Monday night at Champaign, Ill.

The Illini (7-0) moved from fifth to the top spot in the Associated Press’ poll earlier Monday. It was the third time in school history it reached No. 1. The other two appearances were in 1952 and 1989, each for one week.

Illinois jumped to a 13-4 lead and was never seriously threatened despite some sloppy play that resulted in 18 turnovers.

Deron Williams and Roger Powell Jr. each had nine points for Illinois.

Chicago State (0-5) tried to slow down Illinois with a ball-control offense, often running the shot clock under 10 seconds. But the Illini used their quickness to force 19 turnovers, several of which led to easy baskets.

No. 7 Connecticut 97, Northeastern 60 -- Josh Boone had a career-high 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Huskies (4-0) at Storrs, Conn., in a game delayed for 20 minutes by a power outage.

Boone, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. Connecticut had a 36-21 edge on the boards and the Boone had six of the Huskies’ 23 defensive rebounds in the half.

Iowa State 81, No. 19 Virginia 79 -- Curtis Stinson scored 30 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 18.6 seconds left, to lift the Cyclones (4-1) over the Cavaliers (6-1) at Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State survived a career-high 40 points by Virginia’s Devin Smith and wasn’t assured of winning until Virginia missed three shots in a wild flurry just before the buzzer.

WOMEN

No. 13 Texas Tech 109, Miami 49 -- Alesha Robertson scored a career-high 37 points, including a school-record nine three-pointers, to lead the Red Raiders (3-1) over the Hurricanes (3-5) at Lubbock, Texas.

No. 15 DePaul 99, Loyola Chicago 54 -- Khara Smith and Erin Carney each scored 22 points to lead the Blue Demons (6-0) over the Ramblers (3-5) at Chicago.

TONIGHT

MEN

Loyola Marymount (4-1) at South Alabama (2-3), 5 p.m., KXLU-FM (88.9) -- Loyola, not known for its offense in recent years, has scored 70 or more points in five consecutive games for the first time in 10 years. Part of the reason is the Lions’ renewed emphasis on pressure defense while taking care of the ball on their own end. Loyola has committed an average of 11.6 turnovers a game while opponents are averaging 19.8. South Alabama is coming off a 66-52 loss to Mississippi State. The Jaguars have beaten Samford and Auburn Montgomery. -- Eric Stephens

WOMEN

USC (3-2) at San Diego (3-3), 7, Jenny Craig Pavilion -- Trojans forward Rachel Woodward recorded the team’s first double-double of the season and the fifth of her career in USC’s 77-56 win over Loyola Marymount on Sunday. The Toreros are coming off a 68-43 loss Sunday at Fresno State. -- Mike Terry