CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Back in the W column.
Following an intense weekend of hoops in Las Vegas that featured two games against top-20 opponents, No. 16 Illinois returned home and took care of Lindenwood, 92-59, on Friday night at State Farm Center.
This one was high scoring early, with the Illini finding themselves in front 12-9 less than four minutes into the game before quickly pulling away and outscoring the Lions 37-16 heading into the break.
Two guys who had been rather quiet offensively in the Illini’s first five games were the catalysts on offense. Skyy Clark and RJ Melendez combined for 28 first-half points, with both setting season-highs in scoring before the second half even began.