CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois struggled on Thursday night as they fell 91-70 to Maryland, despite standout performances from several players. Maryland’s Julian Reese dominated the game with 27 points and 17 rebounds, while Derik Queen added 25 points, leading the Terrapins to a commanding victory over the No. 17 ranked Illini. The loss marked Illinois’ third defeat in their last four games.
Maryland, who had struggled with a 1-5 record on the road this season, finally secured their first away win of the year. The Terrapins took control early, leading for nearly the entire first half and extending their advantage in the second. Maryland outscored Illinois 53-35 after the break, sealing the win with a powerful performance in the paint. The Terrapins scored 62 points in the paint compared to Illinois’ 34 and dominated the boards with a 40-36 rebound advantage.
For Illinois, Kasparas Jakucionis led the charge with 21 points and seven assists, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn contributed 15 points. Kylan Boswell also had a solid performance, putting up 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds. However, the Illini struggled without their leading rebounder and second-highest scorer, Tomislav Ivisic, who was sidelined due to strep throat. Backup center Morez Johnson Jr. also had a limited impact, leaving Illinois vulnerable inside.
The Illini were also hampered by turnovers, committing 16, which allowed Maryland to score 27 points off those mistakes. Despite some strong individual performances, Illinois couldn’t overcome Maryland’s offensive explosion and defensive dominance in the second half. With the loss, Illinois dropped their second consecutive game and will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their upcoming matchups.