Published on November 12, 2025 6:33 am
Last Updated on November 12, 2025 6:34 am
BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – #14 Illinois earned its first ranked victory of the season with an 81-77 win over #11 Texas Tech in a top-15 thriller at State Farm Center on Tuesday night.
Andrej Stojakovic led the Illini with 23 points on 11-16 shooting in his second game at Illinois. He started the game perfect on his first five shots and surged down the stretch, collecting 13 second-half points. He also grabbed three rebounds, two blocks, and an assist. One of his blocks came at a crucial time, deflecting a would-be game-tying three with nine seconds remaining.
Veteran guard Kylan Boswell provided a steady offensive effort against Texas Tech, dropping 22 points with three triples and nine free throws. He led the team with three assists.
Zvonimir Ivisic had a well-rounded night, putting up 11 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. He sank two of his four 3-point attempts. Ivisic’s three blocks against TTU brought him to 10 over the last two games.
The starting freshman duo of David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler combined for 22 points, 11 apiece. Mirkovic recorded four rebounds and two steals, while Wagler grabbed seven boards, including five on the offensive glass.
After Texas Tech opened up scoring with a 7-0 run, Illinois was quick to respond with an 11-0 stretch, including three triples. The Illini then took a 16-10 lead before the Red Raiders tied it up at 16.
Scoring was even for most of the first 20 minutes until Illinois went on an 11-2 run to conclude the first half and entered the break with a 45-32 lead. Boswell led the Illini with 12 in the half, while Stojakovic had 10 on perfect 5-5 shooting and hit a buzzer-beating layup at the end of the period.
Texas Tech came out of the locker room hot, opening up the second half by sinking its first 11 shots from the field. The visitors went on a two-minute, 9-0 run to tie up the game at 56 with 13 minutes remaining.
The Fighting Illini went back in front with a 7-2 run to retake a four-point edge, but the visitors responded with an identical 7-2 stretch to briefly go back ahead with just under nine minutes remaining.
Holding the Red Raiders scoreless for the next four minutes, the Illini used that defensive stretch to go on an 8-0 run and grab a 72-65 advantage with five minutes left. The sides traded baskets over the next few minutes, with the Orange and Blue entering the final 60 seconds with a five-point edge.
With that lead down to three with under 15 seconds to go, Stojakovic made a big block on a 3-point attempt, which would have tied the game. A late Wagler free throw ultimately sealed the Illini’s ranked home victory.
#14 Illinois returns to State Farm Center on Friday night against Colgate. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. CT on B1G+.