By IlliniGuys Staff

March 7, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN - Kasparas Jakucionis hit a three-pointer with 40 seconds left to put Illinois ahead to stay and the Illini closed out the game on a 13-1 run to upset 18th ranked Purdue 88-80 Friday night.

The win snaps a five-game slide to the rival Boilermakers and gives them 20 wins for the sixth straight season.

Will Riley scored a team-high 22 points, including two of Illinois' six free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.

Illinois (20-11, 12-8 in Big Ten) didn't allow a field goal for the final 2:18 in the game as they record back-to-back wins over ranked team to finish the regular season. They beat Michigan 93-73 on the road on Sunday.

Tre White finished with 20 points and nine rebounds while Kylan Boswell scored 15 and Tomislav Ivisic 14 for the Illini. Jakucionis finished with 10 points and seven assists.

Trey Kaufmann-Renn led all scorers with 29 points for Purdue (21-10, 13-7). Braden Smith just missed a triple-double with 18 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds.

Illinois will open play next Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis against an opponent to be determined.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete post-game coverage.