Top-Seeded Illini Advance Past Drexel in First Round of NCAA Tournament

Friday, March 19

Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, Ind.

1:15 p.m.

Drexel University

12-8,4-5CAA

Illinois

24-6,16-4Big Ten

Drexel

Illinois

Photo by: 2021 NCAA Photos

Top-Seeded Illini Advance Past Drexel in First Round of NCAA Tournament

3/19/2021 3:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Drexel's storybook month came to an end on Friday afternoon at the hands of Illinois. The top-seeded Fighting Illini showed why they are national championship contenders with a 78-49 win at Farmers Coliseum. Xavier Bell led the Dragons with 12 points, while James Butler had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Drexel's postseason is presented by GIANT.

The Dragons (12-8) held an early 8-7 lead after Xavier Bell sank a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound. It was the last lead the Dragons would hold. Illinois (24-6) rattled off 10 straight points, keyed by six straight by Kofi Cockburn. His final two points came on a vicious dunk. The Dragons ended the stretch with a Zach Walton 3-pointer. The Illini defense held Drexel to just one field goal over the final five minutes of the half and Illinois led 39-21 at the break.

Drexel made just eight field goals in the first half and shot 22 percent from the floor. On the other end, after a slow start the Illini shot 55 percent and had balanced scoring across the board. Walton had six points to lead Drexel.

The second half was all Illinois. The second-ranked team in the nation went on a 17-4 run to start the second half and held a comfortable lead the rest of the way.

Bell, just a freshman, reached double figures in scoring for the third straight game and the fourth time in the last six contests. Butler, against one of the toughest big men in the nation, was 5-for-12 shooting. He moved into seventh on Drexel's career rebounding list on his way to the 33^rd double-double of his career. Walton, playing in his final game, scored eight points and chipped in with five rebounds.

Illinois finished the night with 36 field goals and shot 57 percent. Cockburn was 8-for-11 from the floor and finished with a team-high 18 points. Ayo Dosunmo scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out six assists without committing a turnover. Trent Frazier and Adam Miller finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Drexel finished the year with a 12-8 record.