Twenty-six years ago today — Dec. 20, 1989 — behind a 26-point performance by Marcus Liberty and a 25-point effort from Kendall Gill, the fifth-ranked Illini basketball team topped fourth-ranked Missouri 101-93. The victory was Illinois’ seventh consecutive against the Tigers and ran its edge in the St. Louis-based Braggin’ Rights series to 9-1. The individual point totals by Liberty and Gill that day rank among the top 12 in the series. Illinois’ best individual scoring accomplishments in the shadow of the Gateway Arch:
POINTS NAME, YEAR
33 Andy Kaufmann, 1990
31 Kiwane Garris, 1993
28 Kenny Battle, 1988
26 Marcus Liberty, 1989
25 Brian Cook, 2000
25 Kendall Gill, 1989
24 Ken Norman, 1986
23 Brandon Paul, 2012
23 Trent Meacham, 2008
23 Kiwane Garris, 1995
23 Deon Thomas, 1990
23 Craig Tucker, 1981
Illini birthdays
Today: Gene Cross, basketball (44)
Monday: Roger Wolf, football (82)
Tuesday: Rick Leighty, basketball (60)
Wednesday: Bill Henkel, football (47)
Thursday: Nate Williams, basketball (62)
Friday: Dave Aina, football (52)
Saturday: Adam Studebaker, baseball (44)
By Mike Pearson, author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore
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