CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball battled the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Wednesday, falling 80-72. The Illini kept the game close throughout, coming within one possession in the final minute of play. The Huskers used strong three-point shooting and late free throws to secure the victory inside State Farm Center. The Illini move to 9-10 on the season and 0-5 in league play.
Four Illini put up double-digit scoring numbers, led by Alex Wittinger who closed the night with a season-best 23 points. Sophomore Brandi Beasley earned her first double-double of the season dishing a career-high 11 assists and posting 10 points. It's the third double-double of her career. Sophomores Ali Andrews and Courtney Joens also finished in double digits, each scoring 13 points and netting three three-pointers. The number marks a season-best for Joens.
"It was a tough one tonight," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "Our kids played their hearts out. For as much as I feel, they have the same feeling. We are searching for a win. We got closer, but we are not in this to be close. Nebraska hit some key threes down the stretch, and we just can't let them shoot 44-percent from three."
Wittinger was strong for Illinois to start the game, knocking down consecutive buckets to begin play. She netted six points in the first quarter to lead all players, but the Huskers held a 19-14 advantage heading into the second quarter. Illinois committed just one turnover to start the game, forcing six Husker miscues.
Illinois pressured to close the gap before halftime as the Orange and Blue outscored Nebraska 24-22 in the second frame. Andrews knocked down 3-of-4 from distance in the period, and Wittinger contributed another eight points on her way to her 11th consecutive double-figure scoring game. Illinois trailed by just three points at the half, and committed just three turnovers before the break. Illinois shot 50-percent in the second quarter, and Beasley dished five assists in the frame on her way to a career-high 11 dimes in the contest.
Despite a slow start out of the halftime break, Illinois used a 7-0 run in the third quarter to cut Nebraska's lead to one point. The Huskers responded with five consecutive points, but Wittinger used two jumpers of her own to keep the game tight. The Huskers led it 58-54 heading into the final period. Illinois was perfect from the free throw line in the third frame, knocking down 5-of-5 shots, and the Illini scored five points off of four Husker turnovers.
Nebraska pushed to extend its lead in the fourth quarter, but Joens knocked down two clutch three-pointers to keep the game within reach. The Illini were within one possession of the Huskers with less than a minute to play, but Nebraska netted 4-of-6 from three-point range and 8-of-12 from the charity stripe in the quarter to secure the victory.
Illinois returns to action on January 16, hosting Michigan State in an 8 p.m. contest. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network and will mark Hail to the Orange Night. Fans in attendance on Tuesday will receive free t-shirts.
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
Team Notes
- Illinois had a season-low six turnovers, the fewest for an Orange and Blue squad since March 1, 2017 when the Illini topped Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament.
- Six turnovers is the fewest for a Nebraska opponent this season.
- The Illini shot 46.7-percent from the three-point line on Wednesday night, marking the highest three-point field goal percentage for a Nebraska opponent this season.
- Four Illini scored in double figures for the fifth time this season and the first since a 67-43 win over Memphis on December 3.
Individual Notes
- Sophomore G Brandi Beasley recorded her third double-double of her career and first of the season with 10 points and 11 assists.
- Beasley's 11 assists mark a new career best.
- Junior F Alex Wittinger scored 23 points on an 11-for-22 shooting night. Wittinger has scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
- The 20-point performance is the third of the season for Wittinger and 11th of her career.
- Freshman G Lyric Robins had a career-best five rebounds.
- Sophomore G Courtney Joens matched her career-high point total with 13.
- Joens scored in double figures for the first time this season and seventh time of her career.
- Joens matched a career-high three steals.
