CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a competitive matchup on Wednesday evening, Tomislav Ivisic showcased his skills by scoring 20 points, while Ben Humrichous contributed 10, helping Illinois to secure a 66-54 victory over Oakland. The game was not without its challenges, as Illinois committed a total of 18 turnovers throughout the contest.

This win marks the fourth instance of Illinois starting a season at 3-0 under their head coach, Brad Underwood, and it’s also the second time in the past three seasons they have achieved a similar start, following a 4-0 kickoff to the 2022-23 season.

After leading by a comfortable margin, Illinois saw its lead diminish to just two points at 38-36 early in the second half. However, the Illini responded with a crucial 17-4 run, extending their lead to 55-40. During this scoring spree, Ivisic played a pivotal role, contributing 11 consecutive points through three successful field goals. Meanwhile, Oakland struggled offensively, managing only two field goals out of ten attempts during Illinois’s run.

Ivisic’s shooting performance was impressive, hitting 9 of his 14 shots from the field, but his teammates faced more difficulty, combining for just 14 baskets on 41 attempts. In contrast, Jayson Woodrich led Oakland’s efforts with 11 points, with DQ Cole adding another 10. However, Oakland’s shooting was far from stellar, as they finished the game with a shooting percentage of only 38%, including a disappointing 4 of 25 from beyond the arc.

Additionally, Oakland faced its own struggles with ball control, matching Illinois with 18 turnovers in the game. Looking ahead, both teams will face tough competition in their upcoming contests. Oakland is set to visit top-ranked Kansas on Saturday, while Illinois will take a break before facing second-ranked Alabama in the C.M. Newton Classic on November 20.