Will Riley’s Second-Half Surge Lifts No. 18 Illinois to 87-79 Comeback Win Over Ohio State

Illinois guard Will Riley took over in the second half, scoring 20 of his 24 points to lead No. 18 Illinois past Ohio State in an 87-79 victory on Sunday. The Illini erased an 11-point deficit with a dominant stretch late in the game, securing a crucial Big Ten win on the road.

Illinois’ Late-Game Run Fuels Comeback

Illinois (15-7, 7-5 Big Ten) used a 15-0 run over five minutes late in the second half to turn the tide after trailing for most of the game. Morez Johnson Jr. delivered a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Kylan Boswell (14 points), Tomislav Ivisic (12 points, 10 rebounds), and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (10 points) all contributed in a balanced effort.

Ivisic, the Illini’s No. 2 scorer and leading rebounder, made his return after missing three games due to mononucleosis. He logged 29 minutes, providing a key presence in the paint.

Ohio State’s Strong Start Falls Short

Devin Royal led all scorers with 29 points, including 19 in the first half, for Ohio State (13-9, 5-6 Big Ten), which saw its three-game winning streak snapped. Bruce Thornton added 22 points and John Mobley Jr. contributed 18, but the Buckeyes struggled to maintain their lead down the stretch.

Key Takeaways

• Illinois Overcomes Poor Perimeter Shooting: After an ice-cold 4-of-20 performance from three-point range, the Illini leaned on their dominance inside, outscoring Ohio State 52-30 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 43-31.
• Ohio State’s Missed Opportunity: The Buckeyes had a chance to extend their winning streak after three narrow losses earlier in the season but couldn’t hold off Illinois’ late surge.

Turning Point

Illinois went nearly seven minutes without a field goal in the first half, falling behind 34-25 before clawing their way back. The Illini trailed for most of the game but flipped the momentum with their decisive 15-0 run in the final seven minutes.

Key Stat

Illinois’ bench outscored Ohio State’s reserves 43-4, providing the depth that ultimately made the difference.

What’s Next?

• Illinois travels to Rutgers for a Wednesday night matchup.
• Ohio State looks to bounce back at home against Maryland on Thursday night.