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CHAMPAIGN — Ty Rodgers had 10 points and 15 rebounds to lead No. 11 Illinois to a 104-71 rout of Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday night, the Illini’s first game without standout Terrence Shannon Jr.
Shannon, the No. 8 scorer in the nation who is averaging 21.7 points, was suspended this week after he was charged with rape for an alleged incident that happened when the Illinois football team played at Lawrence, Kan., in September.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood said he met with his team Thursday to talk about Shannon’s suspension. The coach would not disclose what was said at the meeting.
“I’ve been saying all year that this is the most connected team I’ve ever coached,” Underwood said. “You saw evidence of that tonight by how they responded.
“This is a serious, troubling allegation against Terrance. I’m so thankful to work for a university with integrity, and has a detailed policy in place to deal with an issue like this, respecting all the parties involved.”
Dain Dainja scored 19 points, Coleman Hawkins and Justin Harmon each had 18, Quincy Guerrier added 14 and Marcus Domask 11 along with 11 assists for the Illini (10-2). Harmon made a career-high four 3-pointers.
“I’ve been waiting all year to get production like that off our bench,” Underwood said. “Dain changed the game with his work around the rim. And I’m so happy for Justin. He works so hard.”
Chicago Tribune Sports
Fairleigh Dickinson (6-8) trailed the entire game and fell behind by as many as 40 points. Ansley Almonor led the Knights with 20 points. DeVante Jamison had 11 and Sean Moore 10.
Illinois, which leads the nation in rebounds per game at 45.6, outrebounded Fairleigh Dickinson 54-27. Guerrier had 11 rebounds in his third double-double of the season. The Illini have outrebounded 10 of their 12 opponents.
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Fueled by a 14-0 run late in the first half that featured three 3-pointers by Harmon, the Illini led 48-28 at halftime.
Underwood said it will be interesting to see how Big Ten opponents respond to the loss of Shannon.
“I’m sure he was at the top of all their scouting reports,” he said.
Illinois concluded a stretch of five straight nonconference games against teams that played in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Illini went 4-1, losing only to then-No. 4 Marquette, its lone home loss of the season.
The Illini return to Big Ten play Tuesday when they take on Northwestern in Champaign.