By IlliniGuys Staff

November 22, 2205

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Andrej Stojakovic scored 20 points and freshman Keaton Wagler added 19 as 8th ranked Illinois defeated Long Island 98-58 Saturday afternoon at State Farm Center.

The Illini went on a 12-0 run to build a 26-10 and were never challenged by the visiting Sharks. Kylan Boswell scored all 11 of his points in the first half as Illinois (5-1) built a 54-19 halftime lead.

Two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week David Mirkovic scored 12 points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds as the Illini scored more points in the paint (68) as Long Island did in the game.

Illinois shot 63 percent from the field as they continued their hot offensive start to the season. The Illini have scored 80 points or more in their first six games for the first time since 1988, when that Final Four-bound squad would hit for at least 80 in their first 12 games.

The Illini also won the rebounding battle for the sixth time in as many games this season, grabbing 40 boards to just 22 for the Sharks.

While junior forward Ty Rodgers continues to work his way from a lower body injury from this summer, this was the first game in which Illinois had the rest of its players available. Center Tomislav Ivisic started his first game since the season opener, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds in 21 minutes as he looked much more fluid than against Alabama four nights earlier. Sophomore point guard Mihailo Petrovic played nine minutes in his second game of the season following a hamstring injury. Freshman guard Brandon Lee made his season debut after suffering an ankle injury in practice just prior to the regular season.  The former New Jersey prep star scored four points in 12 minutes of action.

A.J. Neal led Long Island in scoring with 15 points.

Illinois returns to action Monday night when they will host Texas-Rio Grande Valley (7pm, BTN).

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.