SEATTLE — With just 32 seconds on the clock, Kasparas Jakucionis executed a crucial layup, allowing No. 22 Illinois to edge out Washington with an 81-77 triumph on Sunday.
The Fighting Illini (11-3, 3-1 Big Ten), making their first appearance at UW since the 1952 Final Four, initially boasted a commanding 17-point lead. However, the Huskies managed to contest the score, tying it at 75 with a layup by Luis Kortright with just 47 seconds remaining. Jakucionis swiftly responded with a decisive score, and Illinois solidified their win at the free-throw line.
Jakucionis concluded the game with 18 points and six assists, Tre White contributed 17 points, while Kylan Boswell added 14 points to the scoreboard. DJ Davis shone for the Huskies (10-5, 1-3), leading with an impressive 31 points, hitting 7 of 14 attempts from three-point range.
Illinois was particularly effective in containing Great Osobor, Washington’s top scorer, who remained scoreless during the first half, finishing the game with just nine points.
In terms of performance trends, Illinois has now claimed victory in eight of their last ten games, with their only two losses being decided by a mere total of six points — one in overtime and another against the top-ranked Tennessee team. Conversely, Washington has struggled offensively, entering the contest with a shooting percentage of 45%, marking the second-lowest in the Big Ten, and shot only 31.4% in the first half. They did show improvement in the second half, raising their shooting percentage to 56.7% as they nearly made a comeback.
A pivotal moment in the game was Kortright’s layup that tied the game, completing an 8-0 scoring run for the Huskies before Jakucionis answered back to regain the lead for Illinois.
An important statistic from the match was that Illinois committed nine turnovers in the first half but showed improvement by limiting their errors to just four in the second half.
Looking ahead, Illinois will host Penn State at the State Farm Center on Wednesday, while Washington is set to embark on a two-game road trip in Big Ten territory, beginning with a contest against No. 18 Michigan State on Thursday.