Boswell Shatters Expectations: #24 Illinois Dominates Chicago State with a Stellar Triple-Double!

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 24 Illinois capped off the year with an impressive 117-64 victory against Chicago State at State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon.

Maintaining a lead throughout the match, the Fighting Illini exceeded the 100-point threshold for the second occasion this season in their final home nonconference encounter of the year.

Kylan Boswell achieved the seventh triple-double in the program’s history, contributing 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. With new personal bests in rebounds and assists, Boswell recorded his first career triple-double after scoring in double digits for the fourth successive game.

Tomislav Ivisic scored a career-high 23 points, shooting 9-for-12 from the field. Successfully making three 3-pointers, Ivisic matched his season-best with five assists, while also collecting four rebounds and achieving two blocks.

Morez Johnson Jr. also reached a new career-high in scoring with 11 points, going 4-for-5 from the field. He additionally grabbed eight rebounds and recorded two blocks along with a career-high three steals.

Scoring in double digits for the seventh consecutive game, Kasparas Jakucionis amassed 14 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting. He also added four assists, four rebounds, and a steal.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn also finished in double figures, registering 16 points with a shooting line of 7-for-9 and 2-for-4 from 3-point range. Gibbs-Lawhorn made two of his three rebounds on the offensive end and recorded two steals.

Will Riley had his eighth game with double-digit scoring, contributing 13 points and four rebounds from the bench.

Following Ivisic netting six of the Illini’s initial eight points, the Orange and Blue’s lead grew to 14-7 within the first five minutes of play. With a sequence that featured Illinois making 10 of 13 field goals, the hosts embarked on a 29-3 run to establish a 37-10 lead. Five separate players hit a 3-pointer and six distinct Illini scorers registered points during a stretch of eight-and-a-half minutes.

The home team’s advantage continued to expand, surpassing the 30-point margin for the first time with just under four minutes left in the first half. An impressive 13-0 run near the end of the half allowed the Illini to build a 57-18 advantage with less than 90 seconds left in the period, and the Orange and Blue took a 60-24 lead into halftime.

Ivisic led all scorers in the first half with 18 points, where seven players succeeded from beyond the arc throughout the opening 20 minutes.

A 5-0 run by the Illini at the outset of the second half pushed the hosts’ lead to 65-24 within two minutes of the period starting. Just under two minutes later, Illinois began an 11-2 run to extend the lead further, which saw the home team’s advantage grow to 46 points with 14:05 remaining in the contest.

The Orange and Blue’s margin climbed over 50 for the first time slightly past the midpoint of the final frame, while the Illini recorded their 100th point just under two minutes later.

Gibbs-Lawhorn’s impressive dunk with 3:55 remaining capped a commanding victory for the Orange and Blue, who had a lead as large as 58 during the game. Boswell’s 10th assist towards the end solidified his triple-double, bringing Illini supporters to their feet.

No. 24 Illinois continues its Big Ten schedule with its initial conference road trip to the West Coast. The Fighting Illini are set to face No. 9 Oregon on Thursday at 9 p.m. CT, with the match slated for national broadcast on FS1.

HIGHLIGHTS

Coming soon.

POSTGAME NOTES

Player Notes:

• Kylan Boswell achieved his first-career triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
  • Seventh triple-double in program history.
  • Established career highs for rebounds (10) and assists (10).
    • Has achieved at least seven rebounds in three consecutive games, a season-best stretch.

  • Scored in double figures for the fourth-straight game, extending his season-long streak.

• Tomislav Ivisic registered a career-high leading the game with 23 points.
  • Reached double-digits for the 10th time this season, tying for the team lead with Kasparas Jakucionis.
    • Had a game-high 18 points in the first half.

  • Third game of the season scoring 20+ points.
  • Made multiple 3-pointers for the fifth occasion this season.
  • Tied his career-best with five assists.
  • Tied his season high with nine field goals.

• Kasparas Jakucionis compiled 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
  • Reached double-digits scoring for the seventh consecutive game and the 10th time this season, tying with Tomislav Ivisic for the team lead.

• Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn recorded 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
  • Scored in double figures for the second time this season.
  • Achieved a season-high by providing two assists.
  • Tied season high with three rebounds.
  • Tied his career-best with two steals.

• Will Riley posted 13 points and four rebounds.
  • Scored in double figures for the eighth time this season, his highest total since Nov. 25 vs. Little Rock.
  • Marked his sixth game this season with at least four rebounds.

• Morez Johnson Jr. recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, and a game-high three blocks.
  • Surpassed his previous career-high of 10 set on Nov. 23 vs. UMES.
  • Set a career-high in field goals made (4).
  • Third game this season with multiple blocks.
  • Tied a season-high with two steals.

• Jake Davis achieved a season-high six points on 2-for-4 shooting from 3-point range.
• Keaton Kutcher scored his first career 3-pointer finishing with a personal-best three points.
  • Kutcher’s triple was assisted by Kylan Boswell to complete Boswell’s triple-double.

Team Notes: