Terry Impresses in Near Miss for Illini

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Sophomore guard Jeanae Terry's had a career game on Thursday night, but it was not enough for the Fighting Illini whose fourth-quarter rally came up just short of the finish line in an 80-76 loss to Penn State at State Farm Center.

Terry narrowly missed a triple-double in the contest, recording 21 points – on 9-for-18 shooting - and a career-high 16 rebounds, while also tying her personal-best with eight assists, before fouling out with 26 seconds to play.  

She was one of four Illini to tally double-figures scoring, along with sophomore guard Jada Peebles, who also set a personal-best with 19 points. Sophomore forward Kennedi Myles (11 points) and redshirt-junior center Eva Rubin (10) also scored in double figures.

Illinois (2-9, 0-8 B1G) stormed out to an early lead in the contest, staking to a 16-7 advantage at the 3:24 mark of the first quarter but the Lady Lions (5-7, 2-6 B1G) pulled even at the end of the first and the teams battled to a 33-32 PSU lead at halftime.

The third quarter was dominated by the Lady Lions who scored 28 points in the period and pushed their lead to as many as 14 points. Penn State appeared to be ready to pull away for the win before Terry knocked down a half-court buzzer beater that breathed new life into the Orange and Blue.

Terry's heave sparked a three-point barrage from the Illini as they knocked down five more triples in the fourth quarter alone. The Illini outscored the Lady Lions 24-19 in the in the final stanza and took a 72-71 lead with 2:03 left in the game.

On the next defensive possession, Aaliyah Nye forced a turnover by taking a charge, further fueling the Illini momentum. The Illini were unable to to convert on the next offensive possession, however, and the Lady Lions took advantage of the open door by scoring the game's next five points, including a dagger three-pointer from freshman guard Maddie Burke, which gave Penn State a 76-72 lead with 0:33 seconds left on the clock.

Terry answered the call again, scoring her final bucket with 30 seconds left, but she fouled out on the ensuing Penn State possession. The Lady Lions closed out the game by hitting all eight of their fourth-quarter free-throw attempts, including four in the game's last 26 ticks.  

Penn State was led by Makenna Marisa who tallied 17 of her game-high 24 points in the second half. Shay Hagans (18 points), Johnasia Cash (14) and Anna Camden (10) also tallied double-digit scoring games. Cash finished with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds.

STAT OF THE GAME
Jeanae Terry is only the 24th player in NCAA Division I women's college basketball since 1999-00 to record a line of at least 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists. She is the first player this season to reach those totals, and is also just the third Big Ten player to accomplish the feat, joining Iowa's Kachine Alexander - 26 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists - vs. Penn State (Feb. 1, 2009), and Michigan State's Aerial Powers – 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists - vs. Ohio State (Feb. 27, 2016).

TEAM NOTES

• The Illini scored 76 points, a season-high, surpassing their previous best of 72 at Nebraska (12/10/20). This was the most points in a game since the Illini also scored 76 vs Austin Peay (11/13/19), and most in a conference game since Feb. 10, 2019 vs. Wisconsin (78).
• Illinois scored 32 points in the first half. This is the most in a first-half this season since they scored 40 points in the first half at Nebraska (12/10/20).
• The Illini scored 44 points in the second half. This is the most points in a half all season, surpassing their previous best of 43 vs. Iowa (1/3/21)
• Illinois' 34 points in the paint is the most in a game since the Illini's second game vs. Valparaiso (12/2/20) where they had 40.
• Illinois made 10 three-pointers on the night, their season best, surpassing their previous high of nine at Nebraska (12/10). It marks the most three-pointers in a game since Dec. 15, 2019 vs. Evansville (also 10) and most in a conference game since Jan. 20, 2019 vs. Iowa (also 10). 
• The Illini recorded a season-high 47.6 percent (10-for-21) from beyond the arc. This is the highest three-point percentage since Dec. 5, 2019 at North Carolina when they went 9-for-17 (.529), and best in a conference game since Jan. 27, 2019 vs. Northwestern (.529).
• Illinois made 30 field goals on the night, their season-best, surpassing the previous high of 25 at Nebraska (Dec. 10). This was the most field goals made in a game since Dec. 10, 2019 vs. Merrimack (32) and most in a conference game since Jan. 20, 2019 vs. Iowa (also 30).
• Illinois recorded 18 assists, a season-best, surpassing their previous high of 16 at Nebraska (Dec. 10). This was the most assists in a game since Nov. 30, 2019 vs Presbyterian, and the most in a conference game since Jan. 27, 2019 vs. Northwestern (18).

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Jeanae Terry recorded her third-career double-double (21 points, 16 rebounds) and nearly recorded a triple-double, tying her career-high in assists (eight) and setting a new career-high in boards.
• Terry's 21 points mark the second 20-point game of her career after scoring 24 in the season-opener vs. Indiana State (11/25/20). Terry has scored reached double-figures scoring six times this season and 13 times for her career.
• Jada Peebles recorded a season-high 19 points and established a new career-high mark with five made three-pointers.
• Freshman Aaliyah McQueen recorded new career-highs in points (six), rebounds (six) and three-pointers (two).

NEXT UP
The Fighting Illini are travel to Madison, Wisconsin, for a Sunday matinee against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center. Tipoff between the Badgers (3-10, 0-10 B1G) and the Illini is set for 2 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.