Overview
- Andrej Stojakovic scored 23 points and blocked Christian Anderson’s potential tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds to clinch the Illini win.
- Kylan Boswell finished with 22 as Illinois rebuilt control after surrendering a 13-point halftime lead when Texas Tech opened the second half with 12 straight makes.
- JT Toppin powered the Red Raiders with 35 points and 11 rebounds, while LeJuan Watts added 21 and Anderson was limited to single-digit scoring with 11 assists.
- Illinois went 16-for-23 at the line to Texas Tech’s 3-for-4 and converted 13 Red Raiders turnovers into 29 points, adding a 34–30 rebounding edge.
- Texas Tech was missing Luke Bamgboye and Josiah Moseley with Leon Horner also out, the matchup was the programs’ first-ever meeting, and the result moved Illinois to 3–0 and Texas Tech to 2–1.