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Tai'Reon Joseph scored 16 points but made just
7 of 23 shots from the field, going 0-for-6 on 3-pointers for
the Jaguars (1-4). Jordan Mitchell added 13 points, but the duo
didn't have enough help. Southern connected on just 23 of 61
attempts from the field, including only 5 of 24 from beyond the
3-point line.
The Illini routinely punished the Jaguars inside, ending the
game with a 62-28 advantage in points in the paint while earning
an 18-1 edge in second-chance points. Illinois collected more
offensive rebounds (15) than Southern had defensive rebounds
(13).
The Illini led by at least 20 points for the final 18 1/2
minutes, pushing the lead as high as 34 on three occasions in
the second half.
The first half was competitive for the most part, with Southern
even holding a brief 6-4 lead after Joseph dunked. Illinois took
the lead for good on Dainja's slam at the 16:01 mark, but the
Jaguars tagged along closely, closing within 28-24 with 5:27
left after Jordan Johnson drained a 3-pointer.
That was as good as it got for Southern, as the Illini ripped
off 17 straight points in a span of under five minutes. Shannon
capped the run with a layup with 26 seconds remaining for a
21-point advantage. Even though Mitchell canned a 3-pointer to
end the run, Illinois went to intermission with a 45-27 cushion.
The Illini didn't make a single 3-pointer in the first half, but
they were still able to create the large lead thanks to 36
points in the paint.
--Field Level Media
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