CHAMPAIGN – First-year Illinois coach John Groce liked his team’s play much better than his outfit.

Brandon Paul scored 17 points, Tracy Adams added 13 and the No. 10 Illini pulled away late to remain unbeaten with a 66-53 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Sunday night.

In a game between undefeated teams, the Illini led by 11 early but needed a late 12-2 run to gain control and help Groce become only the second coach in Illinois history to win his first 12 games. Groce matched the school record for the best start by a first-year coach set by Fletcher Lane in 1907.