Game Stats | Box Score (PDF)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Fighting Illini fell to Eastern Illinois, 80-67, Friday night in an exhibition game to benefit American Red Cross disaster relief efforts. It marked the first game on the sidelines for new Illinois head coach Brad Underwood.Â
Much to the delight of the mostly-orange sellout crowd, Illinois led 42-38 at halftime and by as many as 11 in the first half. However, the Panthers outscored the Illini 42-25 after the break pull away for the win.Â
Kipper Nichols led four Illini in double figures with 16 points and also pulled down nine rebounds. Freshman Mark Smith (15 points), junior Leron Black (12 points) and junior Michael Finke (12 points) also were in double figures.Â
The Fighting Illini open the regular season next Friday, Nov. 10, when Southern University comes to State Farm Center (7 pm on BTN Plus). Tickets for the opener, and for the whole season, are on sale now.Â
