PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Fighting Illini women's basketball team was held to a season-low scoring effort, falling 75-46 on Saturday to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at The RAC.
The Illini (3-15, 1-14 B1G) trailed by seven, 13-20, at the end of the first period, but the Scarlet Knights (10-3, 6-3 B1G) stifled the Illinois offense, holding them to only nine points in the second quarter. Rutgers led 41-22 at the half.
Illinois could not keep up in the second half as the gap widened, thanks in part to 26 Illini turnovers on the day.
Freshman guard Aaliyah Nye paced the Illini with 11 points, followed closely by sophomore guard Jada Peebles, who scored 10 of her own. Jeanae Terry and Eva Rubin contributed eight and seven points, respectively. Â
Arella Guirantes led the way for Rutgers with 24 points, while Diamond Johnson contributed another 20.
 STAT OF THE GAME
Since a 78-41 blowout win over Rutgers in 2017, the Fighting Illini have averaged just 47.3 points in their last five games against the Scarlet Knights.
TEAM NOTES
- The Illini shot 79.2% (19-for-24) from the free throw line, a season-best percentage and free throws made on the road. The last time they shot at least 79.2% from the charity stripe on the road was Feb. 22, 2020 at Nebraska (83.3%). It is the most free throws the Illini have made on the road since Nov. 23, 2018 at Cal Poly (19) and the most in a conference game since Feb. 7, 2016 at Michigan (20).
- The 46 points scored by Illinois is a season low and their lowest since Jan. 30, 2020 at Rutgers (41).
- Illinois grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, their 13th effort of the season with double-digit offensive boards.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Freshman G Aaliyah Nye reached double-figures scoring for the third consecutive game and fifth time in her freshman season. She tallied a team-high 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers. It is her seventh game with multiple three-pointers.
- Sophomore G Jada Peebles recorded 10 points. She has now reached double-figures scoring 23 times in her Illini career, including 13 times this season. Peebles has hit at least one triple in each of the last five games, the longest streak of her career.
- Sophomore G Jeanae Terry contributed to the Illini offense with eight points and team-highs of six rebounds and four assists. Terry has led or tied for the team lead in assists in 15 of 18 games this season, including eight of the last nine vs. Big Ten opponents.
NEXT UP
The Fighting Illini host No. 24 Northwestern at State Farm Center. The date, tip time, and broadcast information are to be determined for the contest. Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on WDWS 1400 AM. Streaming audio and live stats are also available at FightingIllini.com.
