Illinois’ Second-Half Recovery Falls Short Against Baylor

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois reduced a 19-point halftime deficit to a one-possession game late Friday, but Baylor’s first-half advantage held up in a 95–91 exhibition victory at State Farm Center. The result belongs to the preseason and does not change either team’s regular-season record.

Freshman Quentin Coleman led the Illini with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Stefan Vaaks scored 18, including 16 after halftime, and added five assists. Andrej Stojakovic contributed 15 before leaving with an injury, according to Illinois’ official report. No diagnosis or return timetable is established in the sources reviewed here.

Baylor’s first half created the central problem. The Bears made 11 of 18 3-point attempts before the break and led 63–44. They were ahead by as many as 22 points, forcing Illinois to spend the second half pursuing a large deficit rather than working from a balanced game.

The Illini changed the defensive result after halftime. Baylor did not make another 3-pointer, and Illinois outscored the visitors 47–32 over the final 20 minutes. The recovery brought the deficit within three points during the final three minutes, but it did not fully erase the damage from the opening half.

Isaac Williams led Baylor with 28 points, Kayden Mingo added 24, and Isaac Celiscar and Brett Decker Jr. each scored 15. The Bears also held a 47–38 rebounding advantage. Illinois played without David Mirkovic, its leading returning rebounder, according to the university’s recap.

Jake Davis added 10 points and four assists for the Illini. Their second-half response supplied useful preseason evidence, particularly Vaaks’ increased scoring contribution, while the first half left a clear defensive problem to address.

Illinois hosts UIC in another exhibition Wednesday, October 28, at 7 p.m. Central. The regular-season opener against FDU is November 2, outside the current seven-day planning window. Friday’s loss therefore leaves preparation time available, with both the first-half breakdown and the second-half recovery part of the evaluation.