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Deadspin | Dominating first half propels Illinois past Little Rock

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Deadspin | Dominating first half propels Illinois past Little Rock


Nov 25, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tre White (22) drives to the basket during the first half against the Little Rock Trojans at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis scored a season-high 21 points and Illinois reeled off 23 straight first-half points to trigger a 92-34 non-conference victory over Little Rock Monday night in Champaign, Ill.

Tomislav Ivisic posted 16 points and 11 rebounds for Illinois (5-1) while Tre White contributed 16 points and eight rebounds and Will Riley added 13 points. The Illini tied the State Farm Center record for fewest points allowed by limiting the visitors to 23.6 percent shooting from the field .

Jordan Jefferson paced Little Rock (3-4) with 11 points and five rebounds. The Trojans finished with just 13 baskets while committing 14 turnovers and getting outrebounded 56-26.

Little Rock’s Mwani Williamson opened the game with a 3-pointer, but it didn’t take long for Illinois to find ways to attack the Trojans’ man-to-man and get the visitors in foul trouble.

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Illinois needed just 6 minutes, 7 seconds to get into the bonus — at which time Jakucionis canned two free throws to give the Illini a 17-8 lead and a 9-for-10 showing at the line.

The Ohio Valley Conference preseason favorites pulled within 20-13 on Jefferson’s 3-pointer coming out of a timeout, but Illinois answered with 23 straight points to turn it into a rout. Ivisic, Riley, Ben Humrichous and Jakucionis drilled 3-pointers during the run while Morez Johnson Jr., Riley and Ivisic threw down dunks.

Little Rock finally snapped its 7-minute, 46-second scoring drought with Johnathan Lawson’s 10-foot set shot at the 3:41 mark to make it 43-15, but Illinois took a 51-19 lead into the break.

At halftime, the Illini owned a 27-10 advantage on the boards and they turned their seven offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points. Little Rock, meanwhile, shot just 24 percent from the field and 40 percent at the line.

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Illinois picked up where it left off in the second half. Jakucionis drilled two 3-pointers and White hit two layups as the Illini opened with a 12-2 run to push the margin to 63-21.

Little Rock went scoreless for the final 5:05 to finish with 34 points, which tied Wisconsin-Green Bay (Dec. 4, 1985) and Savannah State (Nov. 21, 2006) for fewest points by an opponent since Illinois’ home arena opened in 1963.

–Field Level Media



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Illinois

The Kitchen Inc. will break ground on 12-unit addition to Springfield emergency shelter

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The Kitchen Inc. will break ground on 12-unit addition to Springfield emergency shelter


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Those experiencing homelessness in the Springfield area will soon have more options for shelter, according to a press release.

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The Kitchen Inc. will break ground at 11 a.m. Jan. 10 on a second group of units for its Emergency Shelter program.

The new group will feature 12 modular units at 1855 E. Chestnut Expressway, each of which has a private bathroom and kitchenette. A half-court basketball court will also be part of the addition, adding to already-existing amenities that include a laundry room, computer room, playground, animal kennels and on-site case management, according to the press release.

“This expansion addresses Springfield’s urgent need for temporary housing solutions, offering a supportive environment for families and individuals as they transition to permanent housing,” said Meleah Spencer, CEO of The Kitchen Inc.

What is the Emergency Shelter program?

The Emergency Shelter program opened in November 2018 with 13 units and a 50-bed capacity, according to The Kitchen. It is a 90-day program that provides temporary shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

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“This program creates a path to permanent housing and this expansion marks a significant step in our mission to end homelessness in Springfield,” Spencer said in the press release. “In shelter, participants have the safety and support to address their barriers to stable housing. Case Managers work with these individuals to connect them with the necessary resources. Emergency Shelter 2.0 will provide a safe haven for individuals and families, giving them the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives and achieve independence.”



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One dead after crash on Springfield Road and Gravesbriar Drive in Denham Springs

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One dead after crash on Springfield Road and Gravesbriar Drive in Denham Springs


DENHAM SPRINGS – One person is dead after a crash on Springfield Road and Gravesbriar Drive, according to emergency officials.

Deputies with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office say they are on scene alongside first responders.

LPSO advises drivers to stay off roads if possible.



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'Our world has been shattered': Family of fallen Illinois trooper speaks out after fatal I-55 crash

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'Our world has been shattered': Family of fallen Illinois trooper speaks out after fatal I-55 crash


The family of Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns, who was struck and killed on I-55 near Channahon just before Christmas, has expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received during this tragic time.

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Carns died Monday night after being hit by a vehicle while removing debris from the expressway.

On Saturday, his family issued the following statement:

Pictured is Trooper Carns with his two children, Ally and Gray, and wife Meghan. (Illinois State Police)

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“The Family of Trooper Clay Carns mourn the loss of their treasured husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement nor the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support.

“To the public, Clay became a hero on December 23, 2024, when he was killed in the line of duty. To his family, he has always been a hero.

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“Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived his life with such purpose, he loved his family and friends fiercely, and he took great pride in his work.”

What happened 

The crash occurred on Monday, Dec. 23 – the very same day that was designated as “Scott’s Law Day” in Illinois, which reminds driver’s to move over and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles. 

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At around 10 p.m., Carns was clearing debris from the southbound lanes of I-55 near Channahon when he was struck by a vehicle.

He was transported to Ascension Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where he later died.

The driver, identified as 69-year-old John Fleet of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with a felony violation of Scott’s Law.

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ISP arrested John Fleet, 69, of Wilmington, after the crash.

Trooper Carns served with the Illinois State Police for 11 years. He was a married father of two young children. 

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Funeral services announced 

Services for Trooper Carns will be held at Parkview Christian Church, located at 11100 Orland Parkway in Orland Park.

  • Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 2, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a first responder walkthrough at 6 p.m.
  • Funeral Service: Friday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m., followed by a private interment.

How to support the family

A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $195,000 as of Saturday for Trooper Carns’ family. 

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The fund has a goal of raising $250,000 and has received 2,000 donations so far. 

To learn more about the campaign, click here. 

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RELATED STORIES: 

Will CountyCrime and Public SafetyNews



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