CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — “It was a tale of two halves,” is how Brad Underwood opened his postgame presser after Illinois’ 87-64 win over Valparaiso on Friday. They dealt with foul trouble, trouble shooting the ball and a career night from Valparaiso guard Isaiah Stafford.
“They came out and punched us,” Underwood said, pointing to Jaxon Edwards and Stafford as standouts from Valparaiso’s impressive 45-point first half. Edwards finished with a game-high 15 rebounds, while Stafford finished with a game-high 30 points.
A Coleman Hawkins-less Illinois had to fight hard for a win.
Terence Shannon Jr. had 22 points and seven rebounds, while Dain Dainja had 16 points and seven rebounds after playing just three minutes in the midweek loss against Marquette.