There’s something to be said for the way the Illini started off the game and were able to keep up scoring in the first half. Overall, it was a great shooting night.
The Illini managed to score 42 points in the first half, and for the entirety of the game they shot 50% from the field and over 45% from beyond the arc. That will win you plenty of games, except when your opponent makes nine field goals in a row (many of they right at the rim) leading up to the end of the half.
Hence, the 10-point halftime deficit.