CHAMPAIGN — Tomislav Ivisic scored 20 points, Ben Humrichous added 10 and Illinois overcame 18 turnovers to beat Oakland 66-54 on Wednesday night.
The Fighting Illini started a season 3-0 for the fourth time under Brad Underwood, and the second time in three seasons after starting the 2022-23 season 4-0.
The Illini had their lead trimmed to 38-36 early in the second half before going on a 17-4 run for a 55-40 lead. Ivisic started the run, which included 11 straight points, with three made field goals. The Grizzlies were just 2 of 10 from the field during the run.
Ivisic was 9 of 14 from the field, while the rest of his teammates combined to go 14 of 41.
Jayson Woodrich scored 11 points and DQ Cole added 10 for the Grizzlies (1-2), who shot just 38% from the field, including 4 of 25 from 3-point range.
The Grizzlies also turned it over 18 times.
Both teams play a top-five team in their next game. The Grizzlies play at top-ranked Kansas on Saturday. The Illini have a week off before playing at No. 2 Alabama on Nov. 20 in the C.M. Newton Classic.
