LINCOLN, Neb. – The sting from last season's 23-point loss and the visions of former Illinois center Meyers Leonard weeping on the bench quickly became distant memory Tuesday night for the Illini.

The Illini knew Nebraska's Cornhuskers were capable. They knew they couldn't afford a slow start. They knew they sorely needed a victory.

Playing with a sense of urgency that seemed to be missing lately, Illinois (15-5, 2-4 Big Ten) ended a three-game skid in what evolved into a rather hostile environment with a 71-51 victory.