PEORIA, Ill. (AP) _ For Illinois starters Frank Williams, Marcus Griffin and Sergio McClain, a victory over Bradley meant far more than just another win on the road.

Monday night's 72-62 victory also was the first time they demonstrated their talents in Peoria since they were schoolboy stars wearing Manual High uniforms.

``We can come back home now and have bragging rights,'' said Williams, who led the trio with 16 points.

Griffin scored 14, and McClain had five for the 15th-ranked Illini (2-0). The crowd of 11,430, a Bradley record, gave the three players a hard time.

``For the first time in Peoria, the crowd was against us,'' McClain said. ``We just did a good job of keeping our poise.''

So did Cory Bradford, the top freshman in the Big Ten last season, who picked up where he left off, scoring 22 points to lead Illinois.

``Cory's been there and done it for a year. When we need a tough bucket, he doesn't mind stepping up and making it,'' coach Lon Kruger said.

The Illini trailed 32-30 at halftime, but Bradford nailed a 3-pointer to open the second half and start a 9-2 run that gave Illinois a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

Rob Dye scored 19 points to lead Bradley (1-1). Dye had only seven points in the second half. He was benched because of four fouls and had trouble getting back into the flow when he returned.

``He hasn't had four fouls much,'' Bradley coach Jim Molinari said. ``I think that was a little shocking to him.''

Molinari said Illinois did a better job of spreading the Braves' defense out in the second half and that his team did a poor job against the Illini zone.

``We didn't attack it. We stood around too much,'' he said.

The victory allowed Illinois to sweep a three-game series between the teams. The game was the first time the teams have played in Peoria since 1936.

It's unclear when Bradley and Illinois will meet again. No game is scheduled for next season.