BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – No. 25 Illinois' second-half surge was not enough as the Fighting Illini fell to No. 8 Alabama, 100-87, in the C.M. Newton Classic at Legacy Arena on Wednesday night.
After trailing by as many as 18, the Illini (3-1) cut their deficit to eight points with 3:32 remaining, but the comeback ultimately fell short in the Orange and Blue's first loss of the season.
Five Illinois scorers registered double-digit points, including a team-high 18-point effort from Will Riley, a season-best 17-point showing from Kylan Boswell, and a career-most 15 points from Kasparas Jakucionis.
Riley recorded 15 of his 18 points in the second half, shooting 5-for-7 from the field across the final 20 minutes of play. Riley corralled nine rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, and dished out four assists in addition to his one steal.
Boswell scored in double figures for the first time since joining the Orange and Blue while grabbing seven rebounds and making three assists and a steal.
Kasparas Jakucionis reached double-digit points (15) for the third time this season after amassing 13 points in the first half. Jakucionis also notched a team-high six assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
Tomislav Ivisic secured his second double-double of the season while tallying double-digit points for the fourth consecutive game. Ivisic finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and he added one assist, one block, and one steal.
Ben Humrichous knocked down multiple 3-pointers for the fourth game in a row, ending his night with 11 points while converting three treys. He also notched one offensive board, one steal, and one block.
Tre White added six points and five rebounds, while Morez Johnson Jr. led the Illini with two blocks.
No. 25 Illinois continues a stretch of four games in nine days, returning to State Farm Center for a matchup against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff on B1G+ is set for 3 p.m. CT, while tickets are still available at FightingIllini.com.
POSTGAME NOTES
Player Notes
- Kasparas Jakucionis scored a career-high 15 points and added four rebounds and six assists.
- Recorded double-digit points for the third time this season.
- Has at least six assists in three games this season.
- Kylan Boswell recorded season highs in points (17) and rebounds (7).
- Tomislav Ivisic recorded his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
- Joins Ben Humrichous as the only Illini to reach double-figures scoring in each game this season.
- Will Riley scored in double figures for the third time through his first four collegiate games, pouring in a team-high 18 points with nine rebounds and four assists.
- Shot 6-for-12 from the floor, including 3-for-4 from the 3-point line.
- Has knocked down at least three 3-pointers in three games this season.
- Recorded a season-high in total rebounds (9) and offensive rebounds (5).
- Has tallied at least four offensive rebounds in three of four games this season.
- Ben Humrichous knocked down three 3-pointers to reach double-figures scoring (11) for the fourth straight game to begin his Illini career.
- Joins Tomislav Ivisic as the only Illini to score in double figures in each game this season.
Team Notes
- Illinois won the rebounding battle, 44-37, and also had a 14-7 advantage on the offensive glass.
- Converted those 14 o-boards into 15 second-chance points.
- The Illini have won the rebounding battle in all four games this season.
- The Illini had five players (Boswell, Humrichous, Ivisic, Jakucionis, Riley) score in double figures.
- Third game this season in which five players have scored in double figures.
- The Illini held Alabama's leading scorer and SEC Preseason Player of the Year Mark Sears scoreless for just the second time in his collegiate career.
- Illinois also held Sears scoreless on Nov. 27, 2020, during his freshman season at Ohio.
- Sears entered Wednesday's game averaging 17.3 points per game.
