CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Freshman guard Aaliyah Nye recorded a career night in her return to the court, but it was not enough for the Fighting Illini women's basketball team to hold off a fourth-quarter comeback by the visiting Nebraska Cornhuskers in a 57-54 decision on Monday night at State Farm Center.
The game was a back-and-forth affair featuring nine lead changes and five ties, and when the dust settled, Nebraska (8-5, 6-4 B1G) had scored 11 of the game's final 18 points to overcome a strong defensive effort by the Illini (2-8, 0-7 B1G) and escape with the win.
Nye poured in a career-high 15 points in her first playing time since the Illini's Big Ten opener at Nebraska (Dec. 10) when she tallied a then-career-best 10 points. She finished as the only Illinois player in double-figures leading the Illini offensive that included nine points each from sophomore forward Kennedi Myles and redshirt junior center Eva Rubin. Â
The Illini held a 27-24 halftime lead, and a 40-38 advantage heading into the fourth quarter, but junior guard Sam Haiby scored 22 points, 12 in the final period, to lead the Huskers.
With the Illini inbounding the ball and trailing 55-53 with just 10.7 seconds remaining, Haiby sealed the win by stealing the pass and knocking down the resulting free-throws after an Jada Peebles foul. Annika Stewart and Ruby Porter who tallied 12 and 11 points, respectively, joined Haiby in double-figures for Nebraska.
STAT OF THE GAME
Illinois allowed just 24 first-half points to the Huskers, the lowest total given up by the Orange and Blue in a first half against a Big Ten opponent since Jan. 7, 2017 vs. Rutgers (16 points), a span of 71 regular-season conference matchups and 76 overall vs. conference opponents, including Big Ten Tournament play.
TEAM NOTES
- The 16 made FG by Nebraska is an opponent season low. It is the fewest since Dec. 16, 2017 vs. Austin Peay (16 FG), and the fewest in a conference game since Jan. 7, 2017 vs. Rutgers (14 FG).
- The Illini held Nebraska to .296 shooting from the field. It is the lowest shooting percentage by a conference opponent since Jan. 15, 2017 vs. Nebraska (.292).
- Illinois allowed 57 points in tonight's contest. Entering tonight, Illini opponents averaged 80.8 points in six conference games.
- Illinois outrebounded the Huskers 41-36. The +5 rebounding advantage is the most in a conference game since Jan. 31, 2019 at Ohio State (+9).
- The 10 points allowed in second quarter is tied for second-fewest points allowed in a period this season (10 points - 1st Q vs. Indiana State, 6 points - 1st Q vs. Valparaiso).
- Illinois held Nebraska without a field goal for the final 4:22 of the game.
- During the 9-0 run in the 2nd Q, the Illini forced seven straight Nebraska misses.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Freshman G Aaliyah Nye returned to the lineup after missing five games since suffering a foot injury in the Illini's first matchup at Nebraska on Dec. 10. She recorded a then-career-high 10 points in that game, a mark eclipsed tonight with her team-leading 15-point effort tonight. Â
- Nye was 3-for-7 from three-point range. Her three triples also marked a career-best.
- Sophomore F Kennedi Myles finished just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. It snapped a streak of three consecutive double-digit scoring games for Myles.
- Myles also pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds. It marked her third-consecutive game as the Illini's top rebounder. She has pulled down at least nine rebounds four times this season and 17 times for her career. Â
- Redshirt junior C Eva Rubin tallied a pair of blocks vs. the Huskers, her fifth game with multiple rejections, and the third-such game in her last four contests.
NEXT UP
The Fighting Illini are back at State Farm Center on Thursday to host Penn State. Tipoff between the Lady Lions (4-7, 1-6 B1G) and the Illini is set for 6 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+. Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on WDWS 1400 AM. Streaming audio and live stats will also available at FightingIllini.com.
