Jakucionis scores 21 points, Ivisic has a double-double as Illinois defeats Little Rock

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis hit three 3-pointers and scored 21 points – both season highs – and Tomislav Ivisic had his third double-double of the season to help Illinois beat Little Rock 92-34 on Monday night.

The 7-foot-1 Ivisic scored 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds with two steals. Louisville native Tre White also scored 16 points and Will Riley added 13 for Illinois (5-1).

After Little Rock’s Mwani Wilkinson hit a three-pointer to open the scoring, White made a layup and then hit two free throws to give Illinois the lead for good with 18:26 left in the first half. Riley hit a 3-pointer with 12 minutes left in the first half to make it 20-10 before the Fighting Illini scored 23 consecutive points – including four 3-pointers and three dunks – to take a 30-point lead White made a layup with 4:05 left in the first half.

The Trojans went 0 for 9 from the field and had three turnovers during a nearly eight-minute scoring drought, and Illinois scored eight second-chance points off four offensive rebounds in that span.

Jakucionis, who played point guard for Lithuniana at the 2023 FIBA ​​European Under-18 Championship, scored 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting and hit 6 of 6 from the free throw line to give Illinois a 51-19 halftime lead.

Jordan Jefferson led Little Rock (3-4) with 11 points.