Gophers drop fourth straight 71-62 to Illinois

Published Feb. 10, 2011 9:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Mike Davis had 17 points and nine rebounds and Demetri McCamey scored 17 points in a surprise role off the bench to lead Illinois to a 71-62 victory over Minnesota on Thursday night.

D.J. Richardson added 11 points for the Illini (16-8, 6-5 Big Ten), who outscored Minnesota 23-2 off the bench to snap a four-game road losing streak.

Trevor Mbakwe had 17 points and 16 rebounds and Ralph Sampson III added 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for the Golden Gophers (16-8, 5-7). Minnesota has lost four straight games, including two at home that have seriously hurt their NCAA tournament resume.

Blake Hoffarber had 15 points, but Minnesota's leading scorer made just 5 of 13 shots and was harassed all night by a determined Illinois defense.

As the clock ticked down, a vocal contingent of Illini fans chanted, "This is our house!"

Updated February 10, 2011