Tue Dec 30 23:10:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

#20 Illinois Dismantles Southern in Dominating Non-Conference Finale

Champaign, IL – The No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini (10-3) capped off their non-conference schedule with a resounding 90-55 victory over the Southern Jaguars (4-9) on Monday. Jake Davis led the charge with 15 points, including five three-pointers, while Keaton Wagler stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.

The Illini offense was firing on all cylinders, boasting five players in double figures, a testament to their depth. Zvonimir Ivisic contributed 13 points and three blocks, while his twin brother, Tomislav Ivisic, added 11 points and seven rebounds. David Mirkovic also chipped in with 11 points. Illinois now averages nearly 90 points per game and ranks third nationally with five players averaging double figures.

Southern struggled to find their footing, with Michael Jacobs leading the Jaguars with 11 points on a tough shooting night, going 3-for-16 from the field. Malek Abdelgowad added 10 points for Southern.

Illinois dominated the glass, outrebounding Southern 45-26, underscoring their strength on the boards. The Illini lead the nation with seven players averaging more than four rebounds per game.

The Illini jumped out to a commanding 46-25 lead at halftime and never looked back, shooting nearly 60% from the floor in the first half. Illinois finished the game 14-for-34 from beyond the arc and 16-for-18 from the free-throw line.

Head Coach Brad Underwood’s first game at Illinois was also a win over Southern, a 102-55 victory back in 2017. With this victory, Underwood’s record at Illinois stands at 175-104. He remains undefeated (10-0) against current Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) teams, including a 113-55 season-opening win over Jackson State earlier this year.

Looking Ahead:

  • Southern: Hosts Texas Southern on Saturday.
  • Illinois: Plays Penn State on Saturday at the Palestra in Philadelphia.

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