CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 17 Fighting Illini men's basketball team used an overpowering run midway through the first half to blow open Sunday's exhibition contest vs. Illinois State, en route to a 92-65 victory in front of 15,180 fans at State Farm Center.
Four Illini scored in double figures in the contest, including freshman David Mirkovic who posted a double-double with game highs of 19 points and 14 rebounds, while also tying for game-high honors with six assists in his unofficial Illinois debut.
Freshman Brandon Lee poured in 17 points on a perfect 5-for-5 performance from the floor and 6-for-8 shooting from the free-throw line. Junior Zvonimir Ivisic added 15 points and five boards, while senior Kylan Boswell recorded 14 points and three rebounds, and matched Mirkovic with six assists.
Illinois never trailed in the contest and took control with a 34-10 scoring run that began at the 14:49 mark of the first half and turned a 9-9 game into a 20+-point advantage for the Illini. The stretch was capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Boswell and a free-throw by Lee that gave Illinois a 43-19 lead with 1:58 to play in the half.
In the second half, neither team put together a scoring run of more than six points and the Illinois lead never dipped below 20.
Illinois shot 52% from the floor, including 39% from 3-point range while limiting ISU to 40% shooting and 28% from long distance. The Orange and Blue also posted a 44-29 edge in rebounding.
Illinois will open the 2025-26 regular season at State Farm Center on Monday, Nov. 3 vs. Jackson State (7:30 p.m. CT / BTN).
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