CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Graduate transfer Mark Alstork scored 17 points and snagged 10 rebounds Friday night, helping lead Illinois to a 102-55 victory over Southern in the first game of coach Brad Underwood's career with the Illini.
The Illini shot just 4 of 21 from behind the arc, but secured a decisive win over the Jaguars by pounding the glass and playing smothering defense.
Southern was out-rebounded 42-26 and shot just 37.3 percent from the field.
Underwood used his reserves a lot in his debut and junior Aaron Jordan responded.
Jordan finished with 17 points off the bench, knocking down two 3-pointers and all seven of his free throw attempts.
Jared Sam led the way for the Jaguars with 21 points, the only Jaguar to reach double figures.
Eddie Reese scored the Jaguars first basket of the year, but finished with just seven points and five turnovers.
Michael Finke scored Illinois' first field goal of the season on a right hand jam after missed jumper by Alstork. He finished with 12 points and six rebounds.
The Illini have a quick turnaround and will suit up again Sunday evening against Middle Tennesse-State. The Skyhawks finished 22-13 last season.
TEAM NOTES
• The 113th season of Illinois basketball opened with a 102-55 win over Southern.
• Illinois is 99-14 all-time in season openers.
• Illinois is 33-2 when starting the season at State Farm Center, including 21 straight wins.
• Brad Underwood won his first game as Illinois' head coach. Underwood is 110-27 (.803) in his career as a head coach. He is the 18th head coach of Illinois men's basketball.
• Illinois' 34 free throws made (34-37) were its most since at least 2009-10. The program record for free throws made is 38 vs. Texas 12/20/1997.
• Illinois made its first 15 free throw attempts. The Illini made more first-half free throws (19-20) than they did in any first half last season.
• Illinois went 28-of-42 shooting (66.7 percent ) from two-point range.
• Illinois had more points off turnovers (33) than any game in 2016-17 (last year's season high: 25 vs. Winthrop).
• Illinois had its largest margin of victory (47 points) since a 112-55 win over McKendree 11/15/2016.
• Illinois eclipsed 100 points for the first time since a 112-65 win over McKendree 11/15/2016.
• Five Illini scored in double figures (17 Alstork, 17 Jordan, 14 Nichols, 14 Black, 12 Finke).
• Seven Illini made their debuts – true freshmen Mark Smith, Da'Monte Williams, Trent Frazier, Greg Eboigbodin and Matic Vesel, redshirt sophomore Drew Cayce and graduate transfer Mark Alstork.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
• Junior G Aaron Jordan had a career-high 17 points. His previous career high was 14 vs. North Florida 11/13/15. He was 7-of-7 shooting from the line, a career high in free throws made.
• Redshirt junior F Leron Black had 14 points, six rebounds and a career-high four assists.
• Graduate transfer G Mark Alstork had his fourth career double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds).
