Illinois Takes Care Of Valparaiso Behind Strong Second Half

Terrence Shannon had 22 points in the Fighting Illini's victory against Valparaiso Friday night at State Farm Center

For one half, it appeared the University of Illinois was still suffering from the hangover of losing to Marquette. 

And then things went back to normal. 

The Fighting Illini outscored Valparaiso by 30 in the second half in a 87-64 victory Friday at State Farm Center. The win spoiled the return of former Illini player Roger Powell's return to Champaign. Powell is in his first year as the Valparaiso coach. 

"It was definitely the tale of two halves," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. "The game is so fickle. When you don't show up and play the right way, with the energy and the mental approach, it gets to be a real struggle. Give Roger and his crew a ton of credit. We were in the locker room before the game. They were tearing it up, and they came out and just punched us."

Terrence Shannon led the Illini with 22 points while Dain Dainja added a season-high 16 points in his first start of the season. The Illini improved to 3-1. After trailing 45-38 at halftime, Illinois made all the proper adjustments. 

Among the keys was slowing Valpo's Isaiah Stafford. He scored 23 points in the first half but was held to seven in the second. Shannon switched to defend Stafford in the second half. 

“I said, ‘I got him. I got No. 19,’" Shannon said. ”Coach Underwood calls me the best two-way player in the country. I wanted to show him I was."

Turnovers Hurt Illinois In Loss To No. 4 Marquette

Shandel Richardson is the publisher for Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com.