CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's basketball team was unable to maintain its hot start on Tuesday evening, squandering an early lead before mounting a furious comeback effort that fell just short in a 67-61 loss to Northwestern at State Farm Center.
The Illini (3-16, 1-15 B1G) came out of the gate red hot, and staked to a 19-9 lead over Northwestern (13-5, 11-5 B1G) in the first period by holding the Wildcats to 0-for-13 from the field in the first 8:48 of the contest. But NU regained its composure in the second period, outscoring the Illini 24-3 to establish a lead they would not relinquish.
The Northwestern lead reached as many as 15 early in the third quarter, before the Illini began to mount their comeback. Illinois cut the lead to single digits with 9:13 left in the fourth quarter, and pulled as close as four points, 65-61, with eight seconds remaining, before NU closed out the game from the free-throw line.
Four Illini reached double-figures scoring led by 15 points each from Jada Peebles and Solape Amusan. Amusan's 15 points and four three-pointers each marked career highs. Kennedi Myles and freshman guard Aaliyah Nye each tallied 11 points. Myles also ripped down a game-high 12 rebounds to finish with a double-double. Â
The Wildcats were led by their guard duo of Veronica Burton (21 points) and Lindsey Pulliam (19).
STAT OF THE GAME
Illinois held Northwestern to 0-for-13 shooting to start the first quarter, jumping out to an 18-4 lead before NU's Veronica Burton hit a layup with 1:12 left in the period. The Illini closed the period with a 19-9 advantage, their largest single-quarter scoring edge of the season.
TEAM NOTES
- Illinois shot a season-high 47.8% (22-for-46) from the field. It is their highest shooting percentage in a game since Dec. 11, 2018 vs. Murray State (56.5%) and the highest in a conference game since Feb. 5, 2017 vs. Purdue (48.2%).
- The Illini had a season-high 29 turnovers, their most in a game since December 2, 2006 at Mississippi (34 TO).
- After opening the game with a 19-9 edge in the first quarter, the Illini were outscored 22-3 in the second. The three points in the second period matched a season low (2nd quarter - Jan. 10 at Michigan).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Sophomore G Jada Peebles recorded 15 points, six assists and three steals. Her six assists matched a career high (Dec. 10, 2019 vs. Merrimack), while her three steals tied her season high. She has now reached double-figures scoring 19 times in her Illini career, including 14 times this season. Peebles has hit at least one triple in each of the last six games, the longest streak of her career.
- Sophomore F Solape Amusan scored a career-high 15 points and knocked down a career-high four three-pointers. Amusan set her previous bests at Nebraska (Dec. 10) with 13 points and three three-pointers.
- Sophomore F Kennedi Myles recorded her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. She now has 11 in her Illini career after establishing a program freshman record with eight double-doubles last season.
NEXT UP
The Fighting Illini make the short trek to West Lafayette, Ind., for a Sunday matchup at Purdue. Tipoff between the Illini and the Boilermakers is set for 1 p.m. CT from Mackey Arena and 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 are also available at FightingIllini.com. The Illini beat Purdue, 54-49, in their first matchup this season, Feb. 7 at State Farm Center.
