By IlliniGuys Staff

November 20, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Freshman Will Riley scored a team-high 18 points, but cold spells from the field and frigid shooting from the free throw line kept 25th ranked Illinois from pulling off the upset of #8 Alabama, 100-87.

The matchup of a Final Four team (Alabama) and Elite Eight team (Illinois) from last season's NCAA tournament had all the fireworks expected on a neutral court in Birmingham, about an hour's drive from the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa.

Ben Humrichous hit a jumper to pull Illinois within 21-17 with 13:20 to go in the first half. But the Illini then went ice cold, missing 11 straight field goals as Alabama (4-1) put together a 15-2 run that ended with a Kasparas Jakucionis layup with 8:14 until halftime and a 36-21 deficit.

Illinois was forced to play catchup the rest of the night. With Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic on the bench, Illinois put toether an 8-0 run to close with 71-62 and keyed by a Riley jumper and Kylan Boswell three-pointer.

But another Illini cold spell allowed the Crimson Tide to go on an 11-0 run before Riley tried to save the day. The freshman from Canada hit a pair of threes and three free throws to key an 11-4 run to pull within 86-78 But the Tide answered with a 6-0 run of their own and Illinois (3-1) never got any closer.

Boswell finished with a season-high 17 points while Jakucionis had 15 points with six assists but also six turnovers. Tomislav Ivisic tallied a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Humrichous scored 11.

Illinois had the free throw advantage, but hit just 13-of-24 to hamper their comeback bid.

Illinois returns to action on Saturday when they will host Maryland-Eastern Shore (3pm, BTN+) at State Farm Center.