GAME NOTES: The Illinois Fighting Illini host the Austin Peay Governors on Friday night in a preliminary-round of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational.

Illinois has gotten off to a fast start against lesser competition, first downing Georgia Southern last Friday, then more than doubling-up Coppin State, 114-56, on Sunday.

Aaron Cosby made five of Illinois' 15 3-pointers in the latest victory and wound up with 17 points, one less than both Ahmad Starks and Leron Black. Three other players -- Rayvonte Rice, Kendrick Nunn and Malcolm Hill -- also scored in double figures.

The 114 points were the most for the Illini since scoring 121 against Chicago State on Dec. 18, 1993.

Austin Peay is coming off a loss at the buzzer to Samford on Wednesday. Evan Taylor's jumper with three seconds remaining left the Governors on the losing end of a 68-67 decision.

Chris Horton registered a double-double in the loss, scoring 22 points and pulling in 12 rebounds. Horton also protected the Governors' rim with four blocked shots. Chris Freeman had 16 points and four rebounds in the defeat.

Horton hit a layup with 22 seconds left on the clock to give Austin Peay a 67-66 lead, but then missed a free throw that preceded the go-ahead bucket.

Horton leads the team with 17.3 ppg, and Freeman is close behind at 16.0. Horton also paces the squad on the glass at 9.7 rpg, including more than four offensive boards per outing.

John Groce has never lost in November as head coach of Illinois, and his squad should have a relatively easy time moving his record to 18-0 in the month.