Demetri McCarney scored a team-high 20 points as Illinois easily handled Iowa 87-77 Wednesday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

It was the Illini's fifth straight win over the Hawkeyes, which ties a school record. Illinois last beat Iowa five consecutive times from 1963-1965.

The 25th-ranked Illini (11-3) were coming off a disappointing loss against rival Missouri. They led 57-54 with 3:30 to go before the Tigers finished with a 21-7 run.

A strong offensive night ensured Illinois wouldn’t be let down a second time. It finished 32 of 48 shooting (66.7 percent), including 13 of 18 (72.2 percent) from 3-point range.

Mike Davis scored 15 points to become the 44th player in school history to score 1,000 points. McCamey and Mike Tisdale are the other active players to have done so.

Matt Gatens had a game-high 21 points - including five 3-pointers - for the Hawkeyes, who shot 46.9 percent from the field.

Illinois has won 15 of the last 19 meetings, and is 79-66 all time against the Hawkeyes.