CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Despite a strong start to the game, the Illinois women's basketball team suffered a 77-50 setback to Northwestern in its Big Ten Conference opener on Saturday (December 28) in State Farm Center.
Senior Ali Andrews paced the Illini (9-3, 0-1 B1G) with a team-high 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 11 in the first quarter to help give the Illini a 15-14 advantage after the opening period. A 5-0 run from redshirt-junior Petra Holešínská to end the first half put UI within five at 31-26, but the Wildcats (11-1, 1-0 B1G) used hot shooting in the second half to pull away.
Holešínská added nine points to go along with five rebounds for the Illini, while senior Courtney Joens added eight points on the day.
Freshman Kennedi Myles grabbed a team-high six rebounds, while Andrews also notched five boards.
Senior Brandi Beasley and freshman Jeanae Terry each handed out four assists against the Wildcats, while freshman Jada Peebles tallied three steals for the Illini.
Illinois next heads to Iowa City, Iowa for its first Big Ten road trip of the season, taking on Iowa on New Years Eve (December 31) at 2 p.m. CT.
Team Notes
- Illinois moves to 9-3 on the season and goes to 34-44 all-time against Northwestern.
- The Illini have outscored their opponents in the first quarter in 10 out of 12 games.
- Illinois has outscored opponents 217-161 in the first quarter.
Individual Notes
- This is the third time this season that senior Ali Andrews has led the Illini in scoring: 20 vs. Holy Cross, 12 vs. Presbyterian and 15 vs. Northwestern.
- Senior Courtney Joens posted her third-highest scoring total of the season with eight points.
- Kennedi Myles tied a season high with three assists.
For more Fighting Illini women's basketball news, stay tuned to FightingIllini.com and follow @IlliniWBB on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook.
