EUGENE, Ore. — In an impressive performance, the 22nd-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the ninth-ranked Oregon Ducks with a commanding 109-77 victory on Thursday night. Tre White led the Fighting Illini with a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Ben Humrichous significantly contributed to the team’s success by netting 18 points, making four of his seven attempts from beyond the arc, as Illinois posted a remarkable shooting performance with 16 successful 3-pointers out of 29 attempts. Kylan Boswell also shined from long distance, contributing 15 points, while Kasparas Jakucionis added 16 points along with six rebounds and six assists. Jake Davis rounded out the scoring with 12 points.
Supreme Cook was the standout player for the Ducks, leading his team with 20 points, while Nate Bittle supported him with 13 points and five rebounds. The game saw Illinois take a seven-point lead at halftime before they asserted control in the second half with a dominant 22-6 run to secure the win.
Oregon briefly led 7-2 early in the game before Illinois erupted with a 12-point streak, fueled by six consecutive points from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.
For Illinois, this victory marked its first against a ranked opponent this season, having previously faced defeats against top-ten teams such as Alabama and Tennessee. On the other hand, this game marked the return of a ranked opponent to Oregon since 2020, but it provided little relief for Ducks fans who were still reeling from their football team’s recent loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. This defeat signals a challenging period for Oregon as they face five consecutive matchups against teams ranked in the top 40 according to KenPom.
One of the pivotal moments of the game occurred when Illinois initiated the second half with three consecutive 3-pointers, establishing an 11-2 run that expanded their lead to 56-40 just two minutes into the half.
Statistically, Illinois showcased excellent shooting, with an overall field goal percentage of 58%, including 55% from three-point range, while Oregon managed a field goal percentage of 44%.
Looking ahead, Illinois will travel to Washington for their next game on Sunday, while Oregon is set to host Maryland on the same day.
