Illinois Rebounds With 71-51 Win Over Indiana

Illini bounce back from back-to-back overtime losses with dominant home victory

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini rebounded from consecutive overtime losses with a 71-51 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday. David Mirkovic led the way for Illinois with 25 points and seven rebounds, while Kylan Boswell returned from injury to contribute nine points and seven boards. Indiana's Lamar Wilkerson scored a team-high 21 points in the loss.

Why it matters

This win helps Illinois get back on track after a tough stretch, as they look to maintain their position in the Big Ten standings. Indiana, meanwhile, has been up-and-down this season and will need to regroup ahead of a matchup with in-state rival Purdue.

The details

Illinois outrebounded Indiana 38-25 and pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, leading to 17 second-chance points. The Illini also limited their turnovers, committing just two. Boswell's return was a big boost for Illinois, as the team's second-leading scorer and top defensive player provided a spark off the bench.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

David Mirkovic

A key player for the Illinois Fighting Illini, scoring 25 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in the win.

Kylan Boswell

The Illini's second-leading scorer and top defensive player, returned from injury to play nearly 33 minutes and contribute 9 points and 7 rebounds.

Lamar Wilkerson

The leading scorer for the Indiana Hoosiers, pouring in 21 points, 14 of which came in the first half.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Illinois will look to build on this win when they visit Southern California on Wednesday, while Indiana will try to rebound when they take on No. 13 Purdue on Friday.

The takeaway

This game showcased Illinois' ability to bounce back from tough losses and the importance of Boswell's return to their lineup. Indiana will need to find more consistency as they approach the final stretch of the Big Ten schedule.