CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's basketball team opened up the 2020-21 season with a 68-49 victory over Indiana State on Wednesday (Nov. 25) at State Farm Center, behind a career-high 24 points from sophomore Jeanae Terry.
Terry shot 8-of-10 from the field including 3-for-4 from behind the arc. She also pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds, matching her career-best total. Newcomer Geovana Lopes, a junior forward from Odessa College, also reached double-figures, pouring in 12 points to go along with six rebounds in her debut in Orange and Blue.
The Illini started the game with an 8-0 scoring run and led the entire contest. Defensively, Illinois held ISU to 28.6 percent shooting (18-for-63) and just 1-for-12 from distance, while the Illini connected at a clip of 40 percent (22-for-55), and shot 33 percent (5-for-15) from three-point range.
The Illini defense also forced 21 ISU turnovers and recorded seven blocks, four from 6-5 center Eva Rubin, who also tallied a career-high six rebounds in her Illinois debut.
STAT OF THE GAME
- The Illini built their lead by opening each quarter on a significant run. The Orange and Blue opened the game on an 8-0 run and led 10-1 before the Sycamores connected on their first field goal. The second quarter opened with an 11-2 run that pushed the Illini advantage to 14, 26-12 midway through the period. Out of the half, the Illini posted another 11-2 run, and capped the game with a 9-2 stretch to open the fourth.
TEAM NOTES
- The Illini improved to 4-0 in home and season-openers under head coach Nancy Fahey.
- All-time, the Illini are now 29-18 in season-openers.
- The Illini finishted the game with a 17-4 edge in fastbreak points.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Jeanae Terry recorded a career-high 24 points and matched her career-best with eight rebounds. It mark's Terry's eighth double-digit scoring game as an Illini.
- Senior Eva Rubin came down with six rebounds and had four blocks, both marking career-highs.
- Geovana Lopes made her Illini debut, totaling 12 points and six rebounds.
- Sophomore Jada Peebles tallied a team high five assists.
- Freshman Aaliyah Nye notched six points and three rebounds in her collegiate debut.
NEXT UP
Illinois (1-0) hosts Valparaiso (0-0) at State Farm Center on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Tipoff between the Fighting Illini and the Crusaders is set for 5 p.m. CT. The game will stream live on BTN plus. Valpo is scheduled to open at Bowling Green on Sunday prior to next week's matchup with the Illini.
