Seven double-figure scorers carry Illinois past UIC in exhibition finale

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois’ final exhibition offered a look at how widely it could distribute the scoring load. The result became lopsided well before the last of its seven double-figure scorers finished contributing.

The third-ranked Illini beat UIC 101–66 Wednesday at State Farm Center, building a 59–24 halftime lead and closing their exhibition schedule with a 35-point victory. Tomislav Ivisic led Illinois with 14 points. Ethan Brown added 12, while Jake Davis, Quentin Coleman, Stefan Vaaks, Zavier Zens and Lucas Morillo each scored 10.

The scoring distribution was especially relevant because Illinois played without David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic. The absences did not prevent the Illini from generating offense through several combinations. They did, however, reinforce the limits of what an exhibition result can establish: this was a productive night for the available group, not a complete test of the roster Illinois expects to use during the regular season.

Illinois separated itself with first-half runs of 13–0 and 16–0. Those stretches removed the need for a close finish. UIC could not consistently trade baskets while the Illini were putting together consecutive scoring possessions, and the gap reached as many as 39 points before halftime.

The 59–24 score at the break explained most of the final margin. Both teams scored 42 points in the second half. UIC was more productive after the interval, but matching Illinois over the final 20 minutes could not repair what had happened in the first 20. The Flames needed a sustained recovery; the Illini only needed to keep the game from changing fundamentally.

Illinois did more than protect its halftime advantage immediately after the restart. Following an opening UIC basket, the Illini answered with a 15–2 run. Ivisic’s second three-pointer pushed the score to 74–28 with more than 15 minutes remaining, the largest Illinois lead of the game.

UIC later put together an 11–0 run beginning at the 10:38 mark of the second half, reducing the score to 82–50. That was a better offensive stretch for the visitors, but it arrived after Illinois had already created considerable separation. The Flames never turned it into a competitive final few minutes.

Brown’s contribution extended beyond his scoring. The freshman had five rebounds and four assists, giving Illinois another source of possession-to-possession involvement. Coleman collected a game-high seven rebounds and shared the team lead in assists with Vaaks at five apiece. Those numbers show how the Illini’s scoring balance was supported by players contributing in other areas as well.

Illinois shot 54.4 percent from the field and made 15 three-pointers. UIC shot 39.7 percent overall and made five of 27 from outside, an 18.5 percent rate. The difference in three-point makes alone amounted to 30 points, close to the final margin. It was not the only source of separation, but it made the Flames’ attempts to recover much more difficult.

The Illini also held a 44–30 rebounding advantage. In a game with such a large shooting gap, that additional possession work helped prevent UIC from building a route back through second chances. Illinois’ combination of efficient shooting and a 14-rebound margin gave it control of both the scoreboard and an important share of the available possessions.

Neither team enjoyed a major turnover advantage. Both finished with 12 turnovers and seven steals. Illinois’ win therefore did not require the Flames to commit an extraordinary number of giveaways. The Illini created most of their separation by shooting better, controlling the glass and linking those strengths into extended scoring runs.

Ivisic made five field goals, including two three-pointers, and converted both of his free throws. Brown also made two threes. Coleman reached double figures despite making only two field goals, both from outside, by adding four free throws. The various paths to 10 or more points emphasized that Illinois’ offensive output was not tied to one specific type of finish.

For UIC, the competitive value of the second half has to be weighed against the size of the early deficit. Scoring 42 after halftime showed a response, but the opening-half result remains the more urgent issue to address before games begin counting. Illinois’ two long first-half runs left the Flames defending a margin that required almost everything to go right afterward.

The exhibition does not change either team’s regular-season record. Illinois opens its counted schedule Monday, November 2, against Fairleigh Dickinson at State Farm Center, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Central. UIC’s official schedule lists its home opener against St. Francis of Illinois on the same date at 4 p.m. at Credit Union 1 Arena.

Those openers will begin a different evaluation. Illinois leaves the preseason with a clear example of its available players sharing the offensive work. UIC leaves with a first-half deficit to study and a second-half response to build from. Wednesday’s score was decisive; the next task for both programs is carrying the useful parts of the exhibition into games that affect their seasons.