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Illinois 79, Purdue 59: D.J. Richardson led the way with 18 points as the Fighting Illini snapped an eight-game losing streak to the visiting Boilermakers.

Tracy Abrams recorded 13 points and seven assists for Illinois (18-8, 5-7 Big Ten), which won its third straight. Tyler Griffey continued his strong play with 12 points, while Joseph Bertrand chipped in with nine points and 12 rebounds for the Illini.

Terone Johnson scored 18 points to lead Purdue (12-13, 5-7), which has dropped four of its last five. D.J Byrd and A.J. Hammons added 10 points apiece for the Boilermakers, who came in leading the Big Ten in rebounding but got beat on the boards, 44-34.

Sam McLaurin capped a 9-0 run with a dunk to give the Illini a 13-point lead with 6:37 left in the first half and they stretched it to 43-29 at intermission. Johnson scored 10 points and Purdue turned the ball over 10 times in the opening 20 minutes.

Purdue could not get any closer than 11 in a second half that saw Boilermakers coach Matt Painter ejected after being called for two technical fouls with 8:08 remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Illinois had 14 assists, the most it has had in a Big Ten game this season. … Griffey has scored 42 points combined the last three games after averaging 2.3 over the previous eight. … Illinois’ leading scorer Brandon Paul was held to three points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field. … Purdue leads the all-time series 96-85.