No. 17 Illinois won’t play another home game until Jan. 2, but the Illini will hit the road brimming with confidence after an 86 –76 home win over Northern Colorado on Sunday night.

Illinois (10-1) scored at least 70 points for the 10th straight game, marking the program’s longest streak since the 2004-05 season. The teams were tied at 12 early in the first half when the Illini produced a 16-2 run to seize control. Illinois took advantage of the Bears’ miscues throughout the game, scoring 31 points off 24 Northern Colorado turnovers.

Northern Colorado (4-4) clawed back, pulling to within 10 points on a Devon Beitzel free throw with less than 10 minutes remaining. But Illinois closed out the win, led by Mike Tisdale and D.J. Richardson who each scored 14 points. Mike Davis added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Illinois, which had five players score in double figures.

Northern Colorado had five players score in double figures, led by Neal Kingman who scored 21 points.