Illinois answers first defeat with 108-86 win over Sam Houston

Illinois improved to 3-1 after responding to its first loss of the season with a second-half surge against Sam Houston. The Illini scored 63 points after the break, following Tuesday’s 84-78 defeat at No. 16 Texas Tech. Sam Houston fell to 2-2.

The Bearkats moved ahead 57-56 with 15:58 remaining, but Ivisic hit a three-pointer 14 seconds later. That basket began an 11-0 Illinois run, and the visitors did not regain the lead. Ivisic supplied 10 of Illinois’ first 14 points in the half. After being struck in the mouth by an elbow, he briefly went to the sideline before returning to finish the game.

Stefan Vaaks scored 14 for Illinois, while Quentin Coleman and Ethan Brown each added 11. Coleman also collected eight rebounds and six assists. Sam Houston’s Justin Begg recorded 19 points and 10 assists; Aidan McDowell also scored 19. Illinois forced 14 turnovers and turned them into 19 points, adding nine steals and six blocks.

The win kept Illinois unbeaten at home, where it has scored at least 108 points in each of its three games. Sam Houston is scheduled to visit Wyoming on Tuesday, while Illinois will travel to face No. 2 Duke that day.