MILWAUKEE – Illinois Advances in NCAA Tournament

Illinois kicked off its NCAA Tournament journey with a 86-73 victory against No. 11-seeded Xavier at Fiserv Forum on Friday evening. This win allows the Fighting Illini to progress to the second round for the second consecutive year.

The Illini had four players reach double-digit scoring, contributing to a 13-point win. After missing his first three shots, Will Riley finished strong, hitting eight of his last nine attempts to lead the team with 22 points, marking his sixth 20-point game of the season. Additionally, he recorded four rebounds and two blocks, shooting 75% from three-point range.

Tomislav Ivisic also made a significant impact, achieving a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while adding two blocks and an assist. This performance marked his team-high 11th double-double of the season.

In other notable contributions, Kasparas Jakucionis notched a double-double with 16 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, going perfect from the free-throw line. Kylan Boswell added 15 points, helping to maintain momentum with his effective shooting.

Initially, Xavier took an early lead, but the Illini quickly responded, executing a 5-0 run to capture the game’s first lead. Ivisic played a vital role, scoring multiple points throughout the first half, which saw various lead changes. By halftime, Illinois led 40-35, with Ivisic being the leading scorer with 13 points.

As the second half began, Illinois extended its lead, prompted by Riley’s defensive block and subsequent transitions that showcased their scoring versatility. The Illini built their advantage to 62-48 midway through the period and managed to maintain a lead of up to 17 points. Although Xavier mounted a late comeback effort, Illinois countered effectively and secured victory by relying on their robust offensive performance.

Now, Illinois is set to face No. 3-seeded and No. 18-ranked Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament Second Round on Sunday in Milwaukee.

Postgame Notes

• Player Highlights: Will Riley set a record for freshman scoring in an NCAA Tournament game, scoring 22 points.
• Tomislav Ivisic achieved his 11th double-double with remarkable shooting from beyond the arc.
• Kasparas Jakucionis broke the Illinois freshman record for assists in an NCAA Tournament matchup.
• As a team, Illinois improved their tournament record, advancing successfully with notable overall statistics.