IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — Illinois built a large early lead and withstood a furious second-half rally to defeat Iowa 75-69 in a Big Ten men’s basketball game Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Fighting Illini led by 11 at halftime and expanded their advantage before the Hawkeyes surged after the break. Iowa outscored Illinois 45-40 in the second half but could not complete the comeback. Both teams scored 36 points in the paint, but Illinois secured the conference road victory in front of 13,559 fans. With the win, Illinois improved to 13-3 overall. Iowa fell to 12-4.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant first half and a furious second-half rally that fell just short, the Illinois Fighting Illini held off the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69 in a Big Ten Conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Fighting Illini, now 13-3 overall, built a commanding 11-point halftime lead by stifling the Hawkeyes’ offense and never fully relinquished it, despite a relentless Iowa comeback attempt in front of a crowd of 13,559. The most critical phase of the contest was unquestionably the first half, where Illinois established a control it would need every bit of later. The Fighting Illini opened the game on a 13-2 run, fueled by early three-pointers from Andrej Stojakovic and David Mirkovic. Illinois’ defense was the story, forcing eight Iowa turnovers in the period and holding the Hawkeyes to just 24 points on 27% shooting from the floor. Iowa’s leading scorer, Tavion Banks, was held to four first-half points as the Illinois defense, anchored by the rim protection of 7-foot-1 Tomislav Ivisic and the rebounding of Mirkovic, set a physical tone. Illinois took a 35-24 advantage into the break, but the second half became a stark contrast. Iowa, now 12-4, emerged with renewed energy, spearheaded by Banks and guard Bennett Stirtz. The Hawkeyes chipped away, using an 11-4 run early in the period to cut the deficit to single digits. They consistently attacked the basket, scoring 45 second-half points and outscoring Illinois by five after intermission. Every time Iowa threatened, however, Illinois had an answer, often from guard Keaton Wagler. After an Alvaro Folgueiras three-pointer brought Iowa within 41-38, Illinois responded with consecutive three-pointers from Zvonimir Ivisic to push the lead back to nine. Later, when a Cooper Koch three-pointer gave Iowa a brief 51-48 lead—its first and only advantage of the game since 2-0—Wagler answered immediately with a tying three-pointer on the ensuing possession. Wagler, a 6-foot-6 guard from Shawnee, Kansas, led all scorers with 19 points, adding five rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes. His clutch shooting in the second half was instrumental in stabilizing Illinois. Kylan Boswell added 17 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Stojakovic contributed 17 points and five rebounds. Mirkovic controlled the glass with 12 rebounds to go with seven points and five assists. For Iowa, Banks came alive in the second half to finish with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Stirtz facilitated the offense with five assists, and Tate Sage added 13 points. The Hawkeyes won the fastbreak battle 11-6 and scored 13 points off Illinois turnovers but were ultimately undone by their frigid first-half performance and Illinois’ superior efficiency. The Fighting Illini shot 49.1% from the field and posted an offensive rating of 113.3 points per 100 possessions, compared to Iowa’s 40.9% shooting and 101.7 offensive rating. The final minutes were a tense affair of free throws and critical stops. Iowa closed to within 67-65 on a Banks dunk with 1:53 remaining, but Boswell answered with a driving layup. After another Banks dunk made it 69-67, Wagler was fouled and calmly sank two free throws with 1:15 left to restore a four-point cushion. Iowa missed three potential game-tying three-point attempts in the final minute, and Illinois sealed the game at the foul line. The victory extends Illinois’ winning streak to three games following conference wins over Rutgers and Penn State. The Fighting Illini travel to face Northwestern on Wednesday. Iowa, which lost a close road game at Minnesota earlier in the week, looks to rebound at Purdue on Wednesday. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Illinois had a slight 52.9% pregame probability to win, though Iowa was installed as a 1-point favorite by oddsmakers. The total score of 144 fell just under the over/under line of 145.5.

Preview: Illinois vs. Iowa Set for Top-15 Big Ten Showdown IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — A pivotal early-season Big Ten Conference clash awaits Sunday when the Illinois Fighting Illini visit the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Both teams enter with identical 12-3 overall records, setting the stage for a high-stakes matchup with conference standings implications. Illinois (2-0 Big Ten) rides a five-game winning streak, most recently an 81-55 rout of Rutgers on Thursday. Iowa (1-1) looks to rebound after a narrow 70-67 road loss at Minnesota on Tuesday. The spotlight will be on the backcourt, featuring two of the league’s premier guards. Illinois is powered by dynamic junior Keaton Wagler, who is averaging 17 points and 5.2 assists over his last five games. He posted 17 points in the win over Rutgers and is coming off a near triple-double (11 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists) against Southern on Dec. 29. Iowa counters with sophomore floor general Kael Combs, a key facilitator for the Hawkeyes’ offense. While his scoring has fluctuated, Combs dished out five assists in a December win over Western Michigan and will be central to orchestrating the attack against Illinois’ pressure. The Illini have showcased a potent offense during their streak, averaging 81.2 points per game in that span. Alongside Wagler, forwards Tomislav Ivisic (14 points vs. Rutgers) and Andrej Stojakovic provide scoring depth. Iowa’s defense, which allowed just 61 points in a win over UCLA on Jan. 3 but 70 in the loss to Minnesota, will be tested. For the Hawkeyes, balance is key. Bennett Stirtz poured in 21 points off the bench at Minnesota, while forward Cooper Koch adds interior presence. Iowa is 8-0 at home this season, including a 74-61 victory over then-UCLA earlier this month. Sunday’s contest is the only scheduled regular-season meeting between the rivals. The winner will secure a valuable resume-building victory and early momentum in the crowded Big Ten race. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. EST Sunday. Illinois visits Northwestern next Wednesday, while Iowa travels to face Purdue the same night.