Nov. 26—CHAMPAIGN — After allowing Alabama to score 100 points last Wednesday, the Illinois Fighting Illini held their last two opponents to just 74 points in two games.
Monday night, it was the Little Rock Trojans who were completely neutralized by the Illinois defense. The Fighting Illini earned a 92-34 victory over the Trojans.
Illinois’ 34 points allowed tie the program record for fewest points ever allowed at the State Farm Center and comes on the heels of Saturday’s 87-40 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore. The other games where the Illini limited their opponents to 34 points took place in 2006 against Savannah State (81-34) and in 1985 against Wisconsin-Green Bay (84-34).
Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis scored a career-high 21 points for the Fighting Illini, who improved to 5-1. Jakucionis went 3 for 4 from 3-point range and was 8 for 8 from the free throw line. He also added six rebounds, five assists and three steals in the victory.
Tomislav Ivisic recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. This is the sixth straight game Ivisic has scored in double figures for the Illini.
Tre White also reached double figures for Illinois with a season-high 16 and Will Riley came off the bench with 13.
Freshman Morez Johnson Jr. had eight points and 11 rebounds, he had double-digit rebounds in back-to-back games for the Illini.
Illinois’ 58-point win is its largest since Dec. 18, 2021 against St. Francis (Pa.) and for Little Rock (3-4), it is the largest margin of defeat as Division I program.
