Illinois Dominates Maryland in Big Ten Matchup
In a dominant display, Illinois, ranked 11th in the nation, secured their eighth consecutive victory by defeating Maryland 89-70 on Wednesday night. The standout player for the Illini was Andrej Stojakovic, who not only scored 30 points but also contributed nine rebounds to the team’s success. He was supported by David Mirkovic, who added 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Keaton Wagler and Jake Davis chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Challenges for Maryland
Despite the absence of senior guard Kylan Boswell—Illinois’s second-leading scorer who suffered a fractured right hand during practice and is set for surgery—Illinois showcased their depth and resilience. Boswell, averaging 14.3 points per game, had participated in every game of his collegiate career prior to this match, with a total of 124 games played.
For Maryland, the night was challenging, particularly for their star player Diggy Coit, who had recently scored 43 points in a game against Penn State but was restricted to just 15 points against a strong Illinois defense led by Stojakovic. The Terrapins did have contributions from Andre Mills with 16 points and Solomon Washington, who notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. However, as the Terps continue to struggle, this match marked their seventh loss in a row in the Big Ten.
Game Highlights
Illinois built a substantial lead, going into halftime ahead 47-30 after a remarkable 25-4 scoring run. The Illini were effective from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 22 three-point attempts in the first half and finishing the game making 15 of 40 shots from long range. In contrast, Maryland, who began the game strong by hitting six of their first seven shots, ultimately ended the game shooting only 40% from the field.
Looking Ahead
This victory marks the first home win for Illinois against Maryland since January 6, 2022, as the Terrapins have had success in the past at the State Farm Center, holding a 7-3 record in their last ten visits.
Looking ahead, Maryland is set to face No. 10 Michigan State this Saturday, while Illinois will take on No. 4 Purdue on the same day, further challenging their standings in the conference.
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