CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Kylan Boswell showcased an impressive performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Tomislav Ivisic contributed significantly with 23 points, leading the No. 24 Illinois team to a commanding 117-64 victory over the struggling Chicago State in a matchup held on Sunday.
Although Boswell fell just one assist short of achieving his first triple-double, he managed to secure it with a timely pass that set up Keaton Kutcher’s 3-pointer with just 1:47 remaining in the game. This achievement marked only the seventh triple-double in the team’s history.
Additional contributions came from Dre Gibbs-Lawhorn, who scored 16 points, Kasparas Jakucionis with 14 points, Will Riley adding 13 points, and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 11 points and eight rebounds for the Fighting Illini, who now hold a record of 9-3.
On the other hand, Gabe Spinelli, the son of Chicago State’s first-year head coach Scott Spinelli, led the Cougars with 20 points, while Noble Crawford chipped in with 15 points. However, Chicago State was unable to secure a win, now holding a dismal record of 0-15 overall.
Illinois dominated the game from the start, leading 60-24 at halftime, and extended their advantage to as much as 58 points during the second half, displaying a stark contrast in performance from their opponent.
Analysis of the game reveals that Illinois was not strongly tested, given that they were up against a winless team that struggles offensively and defensively, evidenced by the fact that no player on the Cougars averages double figures in scoring, and they concede an average of 83 points per game. However, the game provided the Illini an opportunity to shake off any rust from their recent week-long break following a win over Missouri on December 21.
For Chicago State, the game was marked by several woes, including being out-rebounded 47-23, committing 15 turnovers, and shooting only 37% from the field. The bright spot for the Cougars could be found in their free-throw performance, as they were a perfect 4 for 4 from the charity stripe.
A crucial moment in the game came from a significant scoring surge, wherein Illinois embarked on a 14-point run within a 2.5-minute timeframe early in the first half. This run helped the Illini establish a comfortable lead of 22-7 and set the tone for the easy victory.
Illinois is known for its strong three-point shooting, and this game was no exception. They entered the contest averaging 32 three-point attempts per game, ranking sixth in the nation, and finished the game hitting 15 of 33 attempts from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, Illinois will face a tougher challenge Thursday against No. 9 Oregon, while Chicago State will seek to turn things around on Friday when they play at Wagner.
