Chambana Sun

Berry Wallace led the University of Illinois Fighting Illini women’s basketball team to a 75-65 win over Illinois State on Sunday in Champaign. Wallace recorded her second consecutive game with at least 20 points, finishing with 22 points and seven rebounds.

The Illini improved to 2-0 for the season. Gretchen Dolan contributed 18 points, five assists, and three steals. Cearah Parchment added nine points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

Illinois outrebounded Illinois State 33-24, with Parchment leading the team in rebounds. The Illini forced 16 turnovers while committing only nine themselves, converting those into 13 points. Destiny Jackson led the defensive effort with four steals.

After an early tie at 2-2, Illinois went on a 9-0 run capped by a Jasmine Brown-Hagger three-pointer to take an 11-2 lead. The team held a 20-16 advantage after the first quarter and extended their lead to six by halftime.

In the third quarter, another run helped Illinois increase its margin to double digits before entering the fourth quarter up by ten points. A late push kept them ahead as they secured their second victory of the season.

Wallace shot seven-for-ten from the field and eight-for-eleven from the free throw line without recording a turnover. “Back-to-back 20-point games – first two of her career,” according to postgame notes.

Dolan registered double-digit points for the tenth time in her career and posted a personal best with her scoring total. “Back-to-back games with double figure points and five or more assists,” according to team notes.

Jackson set career highs in both scoring (eight) and rebounding (five), while Brown-Hagger was +20 during her nearly twenty-five minutes on court.

Ten players saw action for Illinois for the second straight game under head coach Shauna Green. Green’s record at Illinois is now 65 wins and 35 losses overall; she is also undefeated against Illinois State as head coach at Illinois.

Illinois scored ten second-chance points off nine offensive rebounds while not allowing any such opportunities for their opponent.

The Illini are now unbeaten this season when wearing white uniforms or playing home games at State Farm Center.