By IlliniGuys Staff

January 14, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EVANSTON, Ill. - Illinois has learned over the years that nothing comes easy in Evanston.

Ahead by as much as 15 points in the second half, the Illini held on down the stretch to post a 79-68 victory at Northwestern Wednesday night.

The win is the season-best sixth in a row for Illinois (14-3, 5-1 in Big Ten) and extends their Big Ten road record to 4-0. That's their best start away from home in conference play since the 2004-2005 season.

Tomislav Ivisic drained a season-high four three-pointers to finish with 21 points, his highest total since scoring 22 against Iowa last February.

Keaton Wagler battled back spams during pregame warmups and at the start of the game according to head coach Brad Underwood, but recovered to score 20 of his team-high 22 points in the second half as the Illini expanded their 38-33 halftime lead into double-digits. But the talented freshman was called for a flagrant foul on Jayden Reid, who hit two free throws and followed up with a three-pointer to key a 10-0 Wildcat run to close within 62-57.

But Illinois held off their in-state rival to get their first win in Welsh-Ryan Arena since 2022, a three-game slide that includes back-to-back overtime losses in their last two trips north.

Kylan Boswell added 13 points and dished out a game-high six assists.

Jayden Reid scored a career-high 28 points for Northwestern (8-9, 0-6 in Big Ten) and Nick Martinelli - the nation's leading scorer at 24.1ppg - added 20, but the rest of the Wildcats managed just a combined eight field goals as they remain winless in conference play.

Illinois returns to action when Minnesota visits State Farm Center on Saturday (11am CT, BTN).

Stay with IlliniGuys for complete coverage from Evanston.