Illinois defeats Penn 112-70 without two key starters
Andrej Stojakovic scored 25 points while Quentin Coleman added 19 in a blowout win for the No. 3 ranked Illini.
By Justin Brooks ·
The absence of two starting players did not slow the Illinois men's basketball team on Thursday. The No. 3 ranked Illini defeated Penn 112-70 at home in Champaign, marking their second straight win by a margin of at least 40 points.
Illinois established a 53-30 lead at halftime. Andrej Stojakovic scored 21 points in the first half, setting the tone for the game. The Illini shot 59% from the field, converting 43 of 73 attempts. They also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Quakers 62-33.
Quentin Coleman contributed 19 points for Illinois, including 15 in the second half. Zavier Zens added 18 points, while Ethan Brown recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds. Lincoln Williams scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his first collegiate game. Stefan Vaaks finished with 11 points.
The Illini entered the game without returning starters David Mirkovic and Jake Davis. Mirkovic is recovering from foot surgery performed in August and an appendectomy completed Saturday. Davis suffered a separated shoulder during the team's opening game against Fairleigh Dickinson and underwent surgery Wednesday.
Penn, the Ivy League preseason favorite, fell to 0-1 on the season. Michael Zanoni led the Quakers with 16 points. Lucas Lueth added 14 points and blocked three shots. Last season, Illinois beat Penn 105-70 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to reach the Final Four.
Illinois will travel to face No. 19 Texas Tech on Tuesday. Penn will host Howard on Monday.
Illinois won its opener against Fairleigh Dickinson 120-45 on Monday.
