Missouri Tigers vs Illinois Fighting Illini
Kasparas Jakucionis scores 21, lifts Illinois over Missouri in 80-77 thriller
ST. LOUIS -- — Kasparas Jakucionis scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 28 seconds left and Illinois defeated Missouri 80-77 on Sunday in the annual Braggin' Rights game between the nonconference rivals.
Illinois held the lead for nearly 30 minutes of game time, but a late rally by Missouri took the game down to the wire. An 11-0 run, capped by Trent Pierce’s layup gave the Tigers a 68-67 lead with about 4 minutes to go.
Jakucionis hit a straight-on 3-pointer for a 75-72 Illinois lead with 2 minutes remaining, but Missouri's Tamar Bates hit a wide-open 3 in transition to tie it at 75 with 1:14 to go.
After the teams exchanged free throws, Jakucionis, a freshman who has six consecutive 20-point games, drove the right side of the line, stopped, pivoted and hit a turnaround jumper to put Illinois ahead 79-77 with 28 seconds left.
After a miss by Missouri, Kylan Boswell made one of two free throws for a three-point lead. Jacob Crews missed a 3-pointer that could have tied it for Missouri.
Boswell made 11 of 12 free throws and Jakucionis went 8 for 8 for Illinois, which was 22 of 23 from the line. Missouri made 28 free throws but shot only 76% from the line. There 43 total fouls in the game.
Boswell had 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Illinois (8-3). Tre White scored 13 and Tomislav Ivisic had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Mark Mitchell and Tony Perkins scored 18 points each and Bates had 17 for Missouri (10-2), which saw its 10-game winning streak come to an end.
Illinois hosts Chicago State on Dec. 29 and Missouri hosts Alabama State on Dec. 30.
------ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Game Information
St. Louis, MO
Referee:Terry Oglesby
Referee:Jeffrey Anderson
Referee:Owen Shortt
2025-26 Standings
| Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 17-1 | - | 27-2 |
| Nebraska | 14-4 | 3 | 25-4 |
| Michigan State | 14-4 | 3 | 24-5 |
| Illinois | 13-5 | 4 | 22-7 |
| Purdue | 12-6 | 5 | 22-7 |
| Wisconsin | 12-6 | 5 | 20-9 |
| UCLA | 11-7 | 6 | 19-10 |
| Iowa | 10-8 | 7 | 20-9 |
| Ohio State | 10-8 | 7 | 18-11 |
| Indiana | 8-10 | 9 | 17-12 |
| USC | 7-11 | 10 | 18-11 |
| Minnesota | 7-11 | 10 | 14-15 |
| Washington | 6-12 | 11 | 14-15 |
| Northwestern | 5-13 | 12 | 13-16 |
| Rutgers | 5-13 | 12 | 12-17 |
| Oregon | 4-14 | 13 | 11-18 |
| Maryland | 4-14 | 13 | 11-18 |
| Penn State | 3-15 | 14 | 12-17 |
| Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 14-2 | - | 23-6 |
| Alabama | 12-4 | 2 | 22-7 |
| Arkansas | 11-5 | 3 | 21-8 |
| Missouri | 10-6 | 4 | 20-9 |
| Tennessee | 10-6 | 4 | 20-9 |
| Kentucky | 10-6 | 4 | 19-10 |
| Vanderbilt | 9-7 | 5 | 22-7 |
| Texas A&M | 9-7 | 5 | 19-10 |
| Texas | 9-7 | 5 | 18-11 |
| Georgia | 8-8 | 6 | 20-9 |
| Auburn | 6-10 | 8 | 15-14 |
| Oklahoma | 5-11 | 9 | 15-14 |
| Mississippi State | 5-11 | 9 | 13-16 |
| Ole Miss | 4-12 | 10 | 12-17 |
| LSU | 3-13 | 11 | 15-14 |
| South Carolina | 3-13 | 11 | 12-17 |
Men's College Basketball News

Should Miami (Ohio) get an at-large bid?
2h

Joe Lunardi's men's Bracketology March Madness watch guide
1h

Tennessee Tech fires coach Pelphrey after missing OVC tournament
3h

