BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Kylan Boswell led the scoring for No. 19 Illinois with 22 points, while Kasparas Jakucionis contributed 21 points in a decisive 94-69 victory against Indiana on Tuesday night. Tomislav Ivisic also had a standout performance for the Fighting Illini, recording 17 points alongside 11 rebounds, as the team improved to 13-4 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten, bouncing back from a previous home loss against Southern California.
The Fighting Illini wasted no time establishing dominance, with Jakucionis and Ivisic helping to secure a commanding 60-32 lead by halftime. Their effective play in the paint was critical to building a 28-point advantage at the break.
Though Indiana came out strong at the start of the second half, scoring the first 10 points, they were unable to close the gap any further than 16 points. Oumar Ballo was the standout for the Hoosiers, finishing with 16 points and 15 rebounds, despite being involved in a minor altercation late in the game. Luke Goode, a former Illinois sharpshooter, chipped in 13 points for Indiana, which saw its home record drop to 11-1. The Hoosiers played without their starting forward, Malik Reneau, and have now lost all five games this season by 16 points or more.
Key Takeaways:
For Illinois, the team demonstrated they had learned from their prior defeat. Their rebounding, usually a strong suit, returned to form, and they executed both offensively and defensively with precision in the first half. When Illinois performs at this level, they showcase themselves as one of the premier teams in the nation.
In contrast, Indiana appeared to lack vigor and intensity, especially in the first half. Their inability to match Illinois’s energy led to a disappointing outcome for the team. If the Hoosiers do not intensify their efforts, the remainder of the season could be challenging for them.
A decisive moment in the game occurred when Illinois surged ahead with a 15-2 run following the first media timeout, establishing a solid 25-10 lead. From that point on, Indiana could not manage to draw closer than a 10-point deficit.
Statistically, Illinois dominated the paint with a 24-14 edge in scoring and controlled the boards with a 29-16 advantage in rebounding during the first half, setting the tone for the game.
Looking Ahead:
Illinois is set for another challenging matchup on Sunday when they face No. 12 Michigan State on the road. Meanwhile, Indiana will be aiming to rebound as they prepare to take on Ohio State on Friday night.
