![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27812302.jpg\")
Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nJake Davis scored 15 points and Keaton Wagler posted an 11-point, 10-assist double-double as No. 20 Illinois routed Southern 90-55 on Monday in Champaign, Ill.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Zvonimir Ivisic (13 points), Tomislav Ivisic (11) and David Mirkovic (11) also scored in double figures for the Fighting Illini, who led by as many as 36.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Playing for the first time since a 44-point defeat at Baylor on Dec. 21, Southern (4-9) lost its fifth straight game.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Illinois had been idle since topping Missouri 91-48 in St. Louis on Dec. 22 and nearly held an opponent under 50 points for the second successive game.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Jaguars shot 34.8% overall and 3 of 14 from 3 point range. That compared to 51.7% and 14 of 34 for the Fighting Illini (10-3).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Michael Jacobs paced Southern with 11 points on 3-for-16 shooting from the field. Malek Abdelgowad followed with 10 points.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Davis went 5-for-6 from long range while Zvonimir Ivisic was 3-for-5.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Wagler drilled a 3-pointer on the opening possession and the Fighting Illini never looked back – nor trailed.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Abdelgowad answered with a jumper for the Jaguars on their first trip down the floor but Illinois hardly sweat, racing to a double-digit lead midway through the first half.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Fighting Illini briefly faced adversity in the first few minutes when Kylan Boswell landed awkwardly when leaping for a rebound and rolled his ankle. He went to the locker room but returned to play 23 minutes, contributing eight points.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Illinois stretched the advantage to 21 in the first half and took a 46-25 advantage into the break behind consistency from beyond the arc. Six different players connected from deep in the first half, with Davis setting the tone with a 3-for-4 effort.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n After a Tomislav Ivisic dunk put Illinois ahead 27-12 at the 6:35 mark of the first half, the hosts closed with five 3s before the half ended, including makes from Davis and Boswell in a 30-second span.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Illinois finished plus-19 (45-26) on the glass. Tomislav Ivisic and Wagler both grabbed seven rebounds. Zvonimir Ivisic added three blocks.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n