By IlliniGuys Staff

November 14, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Preseason All-American Tyler Kolek battled an ankle injury to score a game-high 24 points as 4th ranked Marquette held #23 Illinois without a field goal in the final 3:12 to notch the 71-64 win before a sellout crowd at State Farm Center Tuesday night.

The contest was part of the Gavitt Games, which pit teams from the Big Ten against Big East squads.

Terrence Shannon led the Illini (2-1) with 21 points, 14 of those coming in the 2nd half.  Marcus Domask scored 18 points while Luke Goode poured in a career-high 13 points, powered by four 3-pointers.

Kolek, who was questionable earlier in the day due to an ankle injury, showed why he was the Big East Conference Player of the Year last season.  The 6'3" senior played a game-high 37 minutes, grabbing six rebounds and four assists with a bum ankle that appeared discolored under the wrap.  His spin-moves and drives propelled the Golden Eagles to 44 points in the paint.

Goode hit a crucial three-pointer in the final seconds of the first half to allow the Illini to close to withing 36-31 at halftime.  Illinois then outscored its visiting foes 14-6 to open the second half, led by Domask.  The graduate transfer scored 7 points in that stretch to give Illinois a 45-42 lead.

"We've got to find other ways to score", Illini head coach Brad Underwood told WDWS after the game.  "We can't shoot 33 threes or have a Shannon driving layup.  We have to come up with more options."

Quincy Guerrier was held scoreless, but snatched eight of his game-high 10 rebounds in the first half.  Ball-handling was an issue as Illinois committed 15 turnovers while dishing out only eight assists, both season highs.

Kam Jones added 15 points for Marquette (3-0).

The Illini return to action Friday night when Valparaiso, coached by former Illinois star Roger Powell, visits State Farm Center.  That game tips off at 7pm and can be seen on BTN Plus.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.