CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a strong comeback performance, Tomislav Ivisic led Illinois with 22 points, 15 of which he scored in the first half, as they claimed an 81-61 victory over Iowa on Tuesday night. After a challenging loss to Duke, the Illini showcased a solid performance playing at home.
Kylan Boswell and Will Riley contributed equally with 15 points each, while Tre White added 14 points. The team displayed an impressive shooting record, averaging 50.8% from the field with 32 successful shots out of 63 attempts. This victory marked an end to Illinois’ three consecutive losses, all of which came against high-ranking opponents: Michigan State and Wisconsin, both ranked 11th, and Duke, ranked 3rd. Their most significant defeat was an overwhelming 110-67 loss against Duke at Madison Square Garden in New York.
For the Iowa side, Brock Harding topped the scores with 16 points, and Josh Dix added 11 points. During the match, Illinois quickly established dominance with a 19-6 lead. By halftime, they maintained a 37-30 advantage, as Iowa struggled to keep up. The second half mirrored Illinois’ initial momentum, with a 19-8 run within the first five and a half minutes, extending their lead to 56-38.
Looking ahead, the Iowa Hawkeyes are set to visit Northwestern on Friday to take on the Wildcats, while Illinois prepares for an away game against 15th-ranked Michigan on Sunday.
