CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — Andrej Stojakovic scored 30 points and the Illinois offense operated with ruthless efficiency, cruising past Maryland 89-70 in a Big Ten men’s basketball game Wednesday night at a sold-out State Farm Center.

The Fighting Illini, improving to 16-3 overall and remaining near the top of the conference standings, never trailed after the opening minutes. They built a 17-point halftime lead and maintained a comfortable double-digit margin throughout the second half, handing the Terrapins their 11th loss in 18 games.

Illinois’s offensive execution was the story, as they scored 89 points on just 67 possessions, an elite offensive rating of 132.2. They did it with a balanced inside-out attack, hitting 15 of 40 three-point attempts while also earning 28 free throws, making 20. Maryland, by contrast, managed only eight free throws, making half of them, and shot 40% from the field overall.

Stojakovic, the 6-foot-7 sophomore, was the catalyst, hitting 10 field goals including four from beyond the arc and adding six free throws to reach his 30-point total in just 33 minutes. He also contributed two blocks. His performance set the tone early, as he scored 11 points in the game’s first six minutes to help Illinois establish control.

He was far from alone. David Mirkovic, a 6-foot-9 forward from Montenegro, posted 15 points and three assists, while Keaton Wagler orchestrated the offense with 13 points and eight assists. Jake Davis added 12 points, and 7-foot-1 Tomislav Ivisic chipped in nine points, three assists and a block. The Illini shared the ball effectively despite a low overall assist total, exploiting Maryland’s defense with drive-and-kick actions and crisp ball movement.

Maryland, which fell to 7-11, was led by Andre Mills’s 16 points off the bench, all in the second half. David Coit scored 15 points and dished out five assists, while Solomon Washington added 13 points. The Terrapins struggled to find any sustained rhythm against Illinois’s length and defensive pressure, shooting just 10 of 32 from three-point range and committing 16 turnovers that led to 14 Illinois offensive rebounds and numerous second-chance opportunities.

The most decisive stretch of the game came late in the first half. Leading 30-22 with under six minutes to play, Illinois unleashed a 17-8 run to close the period. The surge featured a three-pointer from Stojakovic, a layup by Wagler, a three from Mirkovic, and two Stojakovic free throws, sending the Illini into the locker room with a commanding 47-30 advantage. Maryland never got the deficit below 14 points in the second half.

Illinois dominated key statistical areas, outscoring Maryland 20-8 at the foul line and 14-8 in second-chance points. The Illini also protected the rim with five blocks and limited Maryland to just three assists on 26 made field goals, a testament to their defensive disruption.

A crowd of 15,201 watched the Illini win their third straight game and continue a strong start to conference play. Maryland, coming off a win over Penn State but having lost seven of its last nine entering the night, saw its road woes continue.

Illinois next faces a major test, traveling to face Purdue on Saturday. Maryland will look to regroup quickly with a visit to Michigan State also scheduled for Saturday.

The game’s final score of 159 points fell under the pregame over/under line of 148. Illinois entered the game as a 19-point favorite, a margin they covered with ease, having been projected with an 88.1% win probability by statistical models.