LINCOLN, Neb. - Fighting Illini women's basketball opened Big Ten play Thursday at Nebraska, narrowly falling to the host Cornhuskers, 78-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena despite five Illini players scoring in double digits.
Jada Peebles led the Illini (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) with 16 points, her third double-digit scoring performance in a row and the eighth of her career. Eva Rubin and Solape Asmusan added 13 points for the Illini, along with 11 points from J-Naya Ephraim and a career-high 10 points from Alaiyah Nye.
The Cornhuskers (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten) were led by junior Sam Haiby who tallied a career-high 33 points. Sophomore Isabelle Bourne added 21 points and junior Bella Cravens grabbed 16 rebounds for the Huskers.
The Illini led at the half 40-39 behind Peebles' 13 first-half points, and narrowly trailed 55-54 heading into the final period.
The Illini pulled away to begin the fourth quarter behind back-to-back treys from Amusan. Nebraska fought back to tie the game at 67 with 2:52 left, and went on a 15-5 run in the final to close the game and escape with the win .
Nebraska outrebounded Illinois 47-35, the first time the Illini were outrebounded this season.
STAT OF THE GAME
- After scoring a combined total of just nine bench points – six vs. Valparaiso and three vs. Omaha – in the previous two games, the Fighting Illini reserves outscored the Huskers' bench 25-12 on Thursday night.
TEAM NOTES
- Illinois saw five players reach double-digit scoring against a Big Ten foe for the first time since Feb. 1, 2017 against Michigan.
- The Illini totaled 40 points in the first half, including 21 points in the first quarter alone. The 40 points are the most scored in any half of a game this season.
- Illinois held a slight advantage over Nebraska in offensive rebounds (14-13), but for the first time this season, the Orange and Blue were outrebounded by their opponent, 45-37.
- The Illini edged the Huskers on steals (8-4) and points off turnovers (8-7). Illinois and Nebraska tied in second chance points with eight apiece.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Sophomore G Jada Peebles totaled a team-leading 16 points, reaching double-figures for the third straight game of the season and eighth time in her career. Peebles' tallied a game-high five rebounds for the Orange and Blue.
- Senior C Eva Rubin finished the game with career-best in points (13) and in rebounds (seven).
- Sophomore F Solape Amusan contributed a career-best 13 points, as well for the Illini, shooting 5-for-8 from the field, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
- Sophomore G J-Naya Ephraim tied her career-best after scoring 11 points, while classmate Aaliyah Nye added 10 points for the Illini, marking a career-best.
UP NEXT
The Illini are slated to continue Big Ten play, hosting No. 19/20 Michigan (5-0) at State Farm Center on Saturday, Dec. 19. The tip time and broadcast information for the matchup between the Illini and the Wolverines is still to be determined.
