The 20th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini dominated their arch-rivals, the Missouri Tigers, in a stunning 91-48 victory during the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game. This decisive win took place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
Second-Half Surge Leads Illinois to Victory
Illinois outscored Missouri 50-23 in the second half, marking their largest margin of victory against the Tigers in the history of this rivalry. The Illini have now secured three consecutive Braggin’ Rights victories.
Key Performers
- Keaton Wagler: Led all scorers with 22 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field, including a career-high five 3-pointers.
- Tomislav Ivisic: Contributed 14 points and secured five rebounds, matching his season-high with three 3-pointers.
- Andrej Stojakovic: Added 16 points with 5-for-8 shooting, marking his seventh double-digit scoring game of the season.
- David Mirkovic: Finished with nine points, five rebounds, and five assists.
- Zvonimir Ivisic: Achieved a season-high 11 rebounds along with eight points and three blocks off the bench.
Game Highlights
Illinois displayed strong offensive and defensive strategies throughout the game. They shot 52% from the field and had an impressive 43 rebounds compared to Missouri’s 24. The Illini also dominated in second-chance points, scoring 29 to Missouri’s five.
The first half began slowly, with both teams trading leads. However, Illinois managed to secure a 41-25 lead by halftime. The Illini then exploded in the second half, quickly extending their advantage with an 11-2 run that set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Defensive Dominance
Illinois held the Tigers to just 28.6% shooting, the lowest allowed against a power-conference opponent since late 2022. The Illini’s defensive effort included eight blocked shots compared to Missouri’s one, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the court.
Historical Context
This victory marks Illinois’ largest margin of victory against Missouri since their first matchup in 1932. Furthermore, it is the most significant win against any power-conference opponent since 2004. The Illini have improved their all-time record to 19-3 in Braggin’ Rights games held at the Enterprise Center.
Next, the Fighting Illini will host Southern in their final nonconference matchup of the regular season on December 29, 2025, at 2 p.m. CT, broadcast on Big Ten Network.
