Illini Fall to Sharp-Shooting Purdue

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's basketball team was outdone by Purdue's hot shooting on Thursday night at State Farm Center, falling 89-67, behind a three-point barrage that saw the visiting Boilermakers tally 15 three-pointers on 65 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

The Illini (6-10, 1-4 B1G) were led by Aaliyah Nye, who totaled 19 points with six three-pointers of her own. De'Myla Brown and Jayla Oden also finished in double-figures scoring for the Illini with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Kendall Bostic pulled down a game-high nine rebounds for the Illini.

Purdue (12-6, 3-4 B1G) was anchored by Abby Ellis, who tallied 21 points, including six three pointers, and Madison Layden who notched 19 with five triples. Brooke Moore added 14 points off the bench, while former Illini guard Jeanae Terry recorded eight points, six assists, and six rebounds in her first game back at State Farm Center.

The Boilermakers scored the first four points of the game before a pair of Nye triples on back-to-back possessions. The first quarter remained a back-and-forth battle, with Purdue closing the period with 16-14 lead. The Illini regained the edge in the second period, and held a 30-27 advantage at the 3:23 mark before the Boilermakers closed out the half on a 13-0 scoring run to take a 40-30 lead.

Folllowing Nye's three-pointer to open the third quarter, Purdue answered with a 10-0 run, including triples from Layden and Ellis. The run pushed the Illini deficit back to double-figures and the Illini would be unable to pull closer than 10 the remainder of the contest.

The Fighting Illini are back in action at State Farm Center on Sunday, playing host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed live on B1G+.

TEAM NOTES

• The Fighting Illini move to 6-10 overall (1-4 B1G), including a 6-4 record at State Farm Center. 
• Illinois falls to 19-63 all-time vs. Purdue, including a 13-25 mark vs. the Boilermakers at home. 
• Purdue's 15 three-pointers are the most by an Illini opponent since Sacramento State set the Illinois opponent record with 21 triples on Nov. 24, 2018, and the most by a Big Ten opponent since Ohio State also hit 15 on Jan. 22, 2017. 

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Freshman G Adalia McKenzie recorded a career-high seven rebounds, and tied her career-best mark with three steals. 
• Freshman G Jada Oden recorded her second-career double-digit scoring game with 11 points.
• Oden also finished with career-highs in minutes (27), field goals (5) and rebounds (6). 
• Sophomore G Aaliyah Nye made six three pointers and has 13 in her last two games at State Farm Center after hitting a career-high seven triples vs. Wisconsin on Jan. 9.
• Sophomore F Kendall Bostic recorded game-high nine rebounds. Bostic entered the game ranking first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally at 12.07 rebounds per game. Bostic has led the Illini in rebounding in 12 consecutive games, and 15 of 16 games overall this season.
• Junior G De'Myla Brown tied her career-high going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. 
• Senior F/C Geovana Lopes tied her career-high with two blocks for the second-consecutive game. 

PRESS CONFERENCE

HIGHLIGHTS