#23 Illinois Defeats Minnesota, Secures Fourth Big Ten Road Win of Season

MINNEAPOLIS – No. 23 Illinois bounced back with a 95-74 road win over Minnesota at Williams Arena on Saturday evening.

With three scorers in double figures, the Fighting Illini led by as many as 28 in their fourth Big Ten away victory of the season. 

Will Riley put together one of the most complete games of his career, leading all scorers with 27 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and registering a career-most seven assists. Riley totaled 18 points while going 8-for-10 from the field in the second half, and he also made one block.

Tomislav Ivisic secured his ninth double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Going 8-for-9 from the field, Ivisic made his first six shots while connecting on both of his 3-point attempts. He also added two assists, a block, and a steal.

Posting his team-leading ninth 20-point game of the season, Kasparas Jakucionis finished with 24 points after going 5-for-6 and tallying 14 points in the second half. The Lithuania native also accumulated four rebounds, four assists, and a block.

Ben Humrichous logged nine points, six rebounds, four assists, and a block.

The Golden Gophers started hot from deep, making their first three 3-point attempts en route to establishing an early seven-point edge. The Illini responded by converting on six of their next seven field goals over a four-minute span, during which the Orange and Blue went on a 9-0 run and took their first lead of the night, 20-16.

Illinois extended its advantage up to six points, but back-to-back baskets from the hosts cut the Illini's lead down to two. Ivisic extended the away side's edge up to five with his second 3-pointer, which moved him into double figures. That trey jump-started an 11-3 run from the visitors, which pushed the Illini's lead into double digits for the first time, 35-25, with just over four minutes left in the first half.

Leading by as many as 12 across the opening frame, the Orange and Blue went into the break with a 46-35 edge. Ivisic paced all scorers with 12 first-half points while going 5-for-5 from the field and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.

The Illini added to their advantage by scoring the first five points of the second half, though a 6-0 Golden Gopher run cut the home side's deficit to 10. Jakucionis accounted for the Illini's next eight points, helping the Orange and Blue maintain their double-digit edge.

Riley recorded seven-straight points for the Illini, whose lead grew to 23 with five minutes left. Illinois' advantage never dipped below 20 points over the final 5:30, and the Orange and Blue closed out the victory to improve to 8-6 in conference play this season.

No. 23 Illinois begins a two-game homestand on Tuesday night, when the Fighting Illini host UCLA for the sides' first meeting as conference foes. The opening tip between the Orange and Blue and the visiting Bruins is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be available to stream on Peacock.

HIGHLIGHTS

POSTGAME NOTES

Player Notes:

• Will Riley scored a game-high 27 points to go along with nine rebounds, seven assists and a block.
  • Riley became the only freshman in the nation since at least 1996-97 to record 27+ points, 9+ rebounds, and 7+ assists without a turnover in a game. 
    • He is one of nine NCAA DI players overall to reach those thresholds in the the last 29 seasons and one of three in power conference game, joining Oregon senior Joe Young (29 p, 10 r, 8 a, 0 to) vs. Washington on Feb. 8, 2015, and Arizona senior Ivan Radenovic (37 p, 9 r, 7 a, 0 to) vs. Stanford on March 3, 2007.    
  • His first game this season with at least 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
  • Went 11-for-17 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc…his 11 makes are a career high.
  • Recorded his third 20-point game of the season and his second such performance in his last three games.
    • Scored in double-figures for the 13th game this season and his fourth straight, a personal-best streak.
  • Tallied his 10th game of the season knocking down multiple 3-pointers.
  • His nine rebounds match a career high.
  • Dished out a career-high seven assists.
    • Has at least six assists in consecutive games for the first time this season. 
• Kasparas Jakucionis scored 24 points while adding four rebounds, four assists and a block.
  • Tallied his ninth 20-point game of the season, breaking a tie with Cory Bradford (8 in 1998-99) for the most by an Illinois freshman.  
    • Scored in double-figures for the team-leading 17th time this season, and his first in three games.
  • Recorded his 11th game of the season with multiple 3-pointers. 
• Tomislav Ivisic scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
  • Recorded his team-leading ninth double-double of the season. 
  • Posted 10+ points for the 14th time this season. 
  • Knocked down multiple 3-pointers for the eighth time this season, first since Jan. 14 at Indiana. 
• Ben Humrichous scored nine points, secured six rebounds and recorded four assists. 
  • Knocked down multiple 3-pointers for the 12th time. 
• Morez Johnson Jr. scored four points and grabbed three boards.
  • Started for the sixth consecutive game. 
• Jake Davis came off the bench to score seven points, going 3-for-3 from the field, knocking down his lone 3-point attempt.
• Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley are the first set of Illini freshmen to each score 20+ points in the same game since Ayo Dosunmu (23) and Giorgi Bezhanishvili (20) did so, also against Minnesota, on Jan. 16, 2019, at State Farm Center.

Team Notes:

• Starting lineup: Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous, Tomislav Ivisic, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Morez Johnson Jr. 
  • Illinois sixth starting lineup of the season and the team's fourth different lineup in as many games.
• Brad Underwood improves to 9-2 against Minnesota in his coaching career.
  • The Illini have won eight-straight over the Golden Gophers, the longest such streak since winning 20-straight from March 4, 1999, to March 15, 2008.
    • Illinois has also won four-straight at Williams Arena.
• Illinois shot a season-best 63.2% (36-57) overall and also posted a season-best mark from 3-point range connecting at 56.3% (9-16). 
• The Illini's 21 assists are the most by the team in a Big Ten game this season, and tied for the second-most in a game overall. 
• Illinois committed just six turnovers, tying for its fewest in Big Ten play this season (at Indiana, 1/14/25). 
• Illinois outrebounded Minnesota 38-26.
  • The Illini have won the rebounding battle in 20 games this season.
  • Have posted a 10+ margin or better in 15 games this season.
    • The 26 rebounds recorded by the Gophers are the fewest allowed by the Illini in a Big Ten game this season. 
  • The Orange and Blue converted 10 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points.
• The Illini bench outscored their Gopher counterparts 36-8.
• Illinois held a 50-26 advantage in points in the paint.
  • Third game this season with at least 50 points in the paint, all have come in Big Ten play.
    • Second game this season with 50+ points in the paint on the road (Jan. 5 at Washington)