BUY @ILLINIMBB TICKETS > Single-Game | Mini-Plans | Season | Springfield
Springfield, Illinois – The Fighting Illini eclipsed the century mark in an exhibition game Sunday afternoon, defeating sister school Illinois-Springfield by the score of 104-69 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center (PCCC).
The Illini have relocated their first five home games of the season to Springfield while renovations continue in Champaign at State Farm Center. A total of 5,883 orange-clad fans were on hand today to see the UI newcomers shine in the debut game at the PCCC.
Five Illini scored in double figures, highlighted by four first-year players. Freshman Jalen Coleman-Lands scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-9 from 3-point land. Lands also had a game-high three steals. Fellow freshman Aaron Jordan registered 16 points on 5-of-8 from the field while grabbing seven rebounds.
Graduate transfer Mike Thorne Jr. owned the paint, racking up 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and collecting a team-high nine rebounds with a game-high four blocked shots. The UI's other graduate transfer, Khalid Lewis, also excelled with 13 points on 5-of-6 accuracy – including 3-of-3 from 3-point range – and four assists.
The Illini broke the game open late in the first half. Leading by just one point, the Orange and Blue scored on seven straight possessions, resulting in a 17-0 run over less than three minutes to open up a 44-26 advantage with 2:51 remaining in the half. The lead remained in double figures the rest of the way as the Illini cruised to the final 35-point margin.
The Illini shot nearly 56 percent from the field on the afternoon (35-63) and knocked down 11 three-pointers in 25 attempts, good for 44 percent accuracy. The team recorded a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio with 18 assists compared to only nine turnovers, and outrebounded UIS, 45-34.
Illinois opens the 2015-16 regular season on Friday, taking on North Florida at 7 p.m. at the PCCC. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
