CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball hosted the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday afternoon in a heated battle at the State Farm Center. The Illini were strong to start the day, but Northwestern used a fourth quarter push to overcome the Orange and Blue, 64-56. Illinois was led by Freshman Arieal Scott and graduate student Sarah Shewan who each contributed 12 points. Scott was also among rebounding leaders with eight boards on the day. Junior Brandi Beasley added 11 points for UI and also contributed seven assists. The Illini move to 9-11 on the season and 1-8 in Big Ten play.
Illinois was hot to start the game on Sunday, shooting 53-percent from the floor in the opening frame. The Illini knocked down two consecutive baskets to negate Northwestern's opening bucket and take the lead in the game. The Orange and Blue fought throughout the frame, holding the Wildcats to just 33-percent shooting. UI used a 7-0 run to extend its lead in the period as six different Illini knocked down at least one bucket to start the game. Beasley was strong on the floor for Illinois, as she dished five assists before the second quarter.
The Illini took a four-point advantage into the second quarter, and fought to maintain their lead. UI remained tough on defense, holding Northwestern to 33-percent shooting once again. The Illini and the Wildcats traded buckets in the period, with Illinois outscoring Northwestern 16-11 before halftime. Illinois scored three points off of Northwestern turnovers in the quarter, also knocking down two treys.
Illinois held Northwestern scoreless from beyond the arc in the first half of play, while spreading out its own scoring. Seven Illini scored in the first half, led by Scott's seven points. Scott and junior Courtney Joens each contributed two three-pointers for the Illini in the first half. Beasley dished a game-high six assists before the halftime break, and also added six points for the Orange and Blue. Illinois shot 46.4-percent in the first half to take a 34-25 lead into the second half.
Northwestern came out of the halftime break strong on Sunday, opening the second half on a 7-0 run. Illinois fought back however, as the Orange and Blue forced six Northwestern turnovers in the third quarter and capitalized with 10 points off of those miscues. The Wildcats pulled within one in the quarter, but Illinois responded with a 10-3 run to end the period. UI took a 51-43 advantage into the final frame.
The Wildcats continued to pick up momentum in the fourth quarter, going on a 15-0 run to open the final frame. Graduate transfer Sarah Shewan ended the Wildcat run with a jumper for the Orange and Blue, but UI could not overcome Northwestern's strong final frame. Shewan added three more points for the Illini before the final buzzer, and finished with 12 points to earn her fourth double-figure scoring game this season.
The Illini assisted on 86-percent of field goals on Sunday, as redshirt-junior Cierra Rice also added four dimes for Illinois. Nine players contributed at least one rebound in the contest, and four different players grabbed at least one steal for the Illini. Senior Alex Wittinger also added three blocks on the day.
NEXT UP
The Illini will hit the road once more to take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State January 31. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed on BTN Plus or fans can listen live on WDWS.
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