Jason Maxiell scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Bearcats (11-1), who lost for the first time this season and failed to atone for a 92-68 defeat to Illinois in last year's NCAA second round.
The Illini led by 11 at halftime and Williams increased the advantage to 38-24 with a three-pointer out of the break. Illinois continued to build its lead and went on top 45-28 on a field goal by Williams with just over 13 minutes left.
A three-pointer by Luther Head with just over four minutes remaining kept the Illini comfortably ahead, 60-39, and Cincinnati never threatened.
No. 13 Washington 81,
California 67
In Seattle, Washington, Tre Simmons scored 18 points to lead 13th-ranked Washington to an 81-67 win over California in the Pac-10 opener for both teams at Bank of America Arena.
Bobby Jones finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for the Huskies (11-1, 1-0 Pac-10), who have won seven straight overall. Will Conroy contributed 11 points and seven assists.
Richard Midgley posted 18 points for the Golden Bears (7-4, 0-1), who erased a 16-point hole in the first half before having their three-game winning streak snapped. Marquise Kately chipped in with 15 points.
Jamaal Williams also scored 11 points for Washington, which reeled off 10 straight points in the second half to overcome a one-point deficit. Simmons converted a three-point play with 4:56 to play that made it 70-61.
California got within 70-64, but no closer the rest of the way.
Washington mounted a 26-10 burst to snap an early 11-11 tie. A jumper by Joel Smith, with 4:09 remaining in the first half, made it 37-21.
The Golden Bears scored the final seven points of the first, five by Midgley, to get within 41-32 at halftime.
California opened the second half on a 24-12 burst to erase a nine-point halftime deficit. Less than seven minutes into the second half, it forced a 49-49 tie on a three-pointer by Midgley from the top of the key.
Another three-pointer by Midgley, with 11:21 to play from the right wing, put the team ahead 56-53.
No. 16 Iowa 67, St. Louis 58
In Iowa City, Iowa, Pierre Pierce scored 24 points and drained a number of key baskets down the stretch to lead Iowa over St. Louis, 67-58, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Adam Haluska ended with 13 points for the Hawkeyes (12-1), who have won nine straight. Jeff Horner added 12 for Iowa, which needed two late runs to earn the victory.
Izik Ohanon had 15 points for the Billikens (2-10), who have dropped four in a row. Anthony Drejaj tallied 14 points for Saint Louis, which failed to hold on to a second-half lead.
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