No. 17 Illinois Handles Northwestern Behind Balanced Attack
No. 17 Illinois showcased a balanced offensive performance to defeat Northwestern 83-74 in a Sunday afternoon Big Ten clash in Champaign, Ill. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Fighting Illini, who improved to 14-6 overall and 6-4 in conference play.
Key Performers for Illinois
Sophomore guard Kylan Boswell led the charge with 17 points, setting the tone early for the Illini. Freshman center Morez Johnson Jr. stepped up in place of 7-foot-1 starter Tomislav Ivisic, who missed his second consecutive game due to mononucleosis. Johnson delivered an impactful 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, anchoring the paint for Illinois.
Kasparas Jakucionis flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court. Meanwhile, Ben Humrichous drained four 3-pointers en route to 14 points, and Jake Davis contributed 11 points, including three triples of his own.
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Struggles for Northwestern
Northwestern (12-8, 3-6 Big Ten) was led by Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten’s leading scorer, who tallied 17 points but required 19 shot attempts to do so. Jalen Leach added 17 points and four assists on an efficient 7-of-15 shooting performance. However, senior Brooks Barnhizer, averaging 18.5 points per game, managed just three points before being rested for the game’s final 12 minutes by coach Chris Collins.
Game Flow
Illinois jumped out to a commanding 22-point lead at halftime, dominating both offensively and defensively. Despite a late push by Northwestern in the second half, the Illini’s balanced scoring and defensive efforts ensured a comfortable victory.
No. 18 Wisconsin Dominates Nebraska in a Bounce-Back Win
No. 18 Wisconsin rebounded from a midweek loss to UCLA with a resounding 83-55 victory over Nebraska on Sunday in Madison, Wis. The Badgers improved to 16-4 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten play while maintaining an impressive 11-1 record at home.
Offensive Fireworks for Wisconsin
John Tonje delivered a career-best performance, pouring in 27 points to lead all scorers. John Blackwell contributed 14 points, and Kamari McGee added 11 as the Badgers bounced back in style following their narrow 85-83 road loss to UCLA earlier in the week.
Nebraska’s Continued Struggles
The Cornhuskers (12-8, 2-7 Big Ten) endured another tough outing, marking their sixth consecutive loss. Brice Williams was the lone bright spot for Nebraska, scoring 11 points. However, the team shot just 33.9% from the field and a dismal 3-for-8 from the free-throw line, underscoring their offensive struggles.
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Defensive Dominance
Wisconsin controlled the game from start to finish, using their defensive intensity to stifle Nebraska’s offense. The Badgers forced turnovers and contested shots, holding Nebraska to just 23 points in the first half and never allowing them to mount a comeback.
No. 24 Memphis Cruises Past UAB in AAC Showdown
In a matchup of first-place teams in the American Athletic Conference, No. 24 Memphis dominated from the opening tip, defeating UAB 100-77 on Sunday. The Tigers improved to 16-4 overall and 6-1 in AAC play, staying tied with North Texas atop the league standings.
Star Performances for Memphis
PJ Haggerty led the offensive explosion with 23 points, while Dain Dainja added 21 points and controlled the paint for Memphis. The Tigers’ balanced attack included contributions from PJ Carter (14 points), Colby Rogers (12 points), and Nicholas Jourdain (11 points). Memphis shot an impressive 62.3% from the floor and converted turnovers into 32 points, showcasing their efficiency.
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UAB’s Bright Spots in Defeat
UAB (12-8, 5-2 AAC) saw their five-game winning streak come to an end despite strong performances from Efrem Johnson (21 points), Bradley Ezewiro (19 points), and Yaxel Lendeborg, who recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Blazers struggled to match Memphis’ pace and defensive pressure.
Game Flow
Memphis jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, capitalizing on turnovers and fast-break opportunities. Their defensive intensity and high shooting percentage overwhelmed UAB, and the Tigers sealed the win with a dominant second half.
