It was a game of runs in Champaign on Saturday.
The Illini (8-3, 4-1 Big Ten) used a 20-5 run in the second half to hold off the pesky Boilermakers, beating Purdue (7-5, 2-3 Big Ten) 66-58.
For the third straight contest, Illinois was off to a rough start. Once again, Andre Curbelo hit the floor and the Illini got back into it. Curbelo ended the first half with a game-high +15 +/-, helping Illinois recover from the poor start.
Although there has been traction to get Curbelo into the starting lineup, the freshman seems to have appreciate his role on the team.