Fighting Illini Cruise Past Wash U in Exhibition

Champaign, Ill. - The Fighting Illini led by as many as 29 points and cruised to an 82-75 exhibition win against Washington U. Sunday at State Farm Center. 

Illinois was slow out of the gate in its debut home appearance, making just five of its first 22 shots while the visitors broke out to an early 24-17 lead. But the Illini settled in with a 14-0 run to take control and led by 10 at halftime, 40-30.

The Orange and Blue then erupted after the break, opening the second half by scoring 15 unanswered points with six buckets during that stretch coming off dunks and layups. The UI advantage swelled to 69-40 with nine minutes left, but Wash U would not go away, closing to within 12 at the five-minute mark. 

Maverick Morgan scored nine straight for the Illini in the closing minutes, but the hosts struggled with turnovers down the stretch which allowed Wash U to close to a final margin of seven.

Four Illini scored in double figures led by Morgan, who registered a game-high 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Michael Finke had 13 points and Malcolm Hill and Jalen Coleman-Lands each added 11, with Hill grabbing a game-high six rebounds.

Up next, Illinois hosts Lewis University for its second and final exhibition game on Friday at 7 p.m. Get Tickets