By IlliniGuys Staff

November 8, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Ben Humrichous led a three-point barrage with five treys and a season-high 15 points as Illinois overpowered SIU-Edwardsville 90-58 Friday night at State Farm Center.

The Illini drained 15 threes in all and have hit 31 in their first two games this season.  That's their most in a two-game stretch since hitting 34 against Arizona (16) and St. Francis (PA) (18) in December 2021.

Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis flirted with becoming the first Illini freshman with a triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds. The Lithuania native tying the school freshman single-game assist record set by Frank Williams and becomes the first Illini since Demitri McCamey in 2008 to record a freshman double-double that includes assists.

Illinois (2-0) jumped out to a 17-4 lead and never trailed. The Cougars closed within five points at 28-23. But the Illini responded with a 10-1 run and went on to a 46-28 halfitme advantage.

Humrichous tied his Division I high with the five three-pointers, a number he hit three times at Evansville last season, as he finished 5-of-8 outside the arc.

Tomislav Ivisic scored a game-high 18 points while fellow freshman Will Riley added 14 and Tre White finished with 13.

Illinois returns to action next Wednesday when they host Oakland (8pm, BTN) for their final test before the neutral court showdown with 2nd ranked Alabama on November 20th.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.