CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After two rough losses, and only one win in their last five, the Illini put it all together in a 92-60 win over Wisconsin on Wednesday night at State Farm Center.
“[I’m] just really proud of our response after a tough couple games,” said Illinois head coach Shauna Green. “These guys came out and they were determined and relentless to play the way that we know we’re capable of playing.”
No matter what type of defense the Badgers were in or whoever Green put onto the court, Wisconsin
had no answer.
Illinois shot over 60% from the field and had six different players score double figures in the 32-point win.
“Having those other guys step up was absolutely [huge],” Green said. “If we can continue to do that, we’re going to be in good shape.”
The orange and blue had a very well balanced attack from the jump and were in control the whole way through in a game where they led by as much as 41.
The Badgers started off in a press, but Illinois was prepared, broke it with ease, and scored effortlessly in fast break opportunities.
“We were very connected offesnvily and defensively talking through things,” said junior Jasmine Brown-Hagger. “That’s why we’re able to have those assists and push in transition.”
Sophomore Aaliyah Guyton was the star of this one. She started off strong with 9 points on 3 for 3 from beyond the arc in the first quarter.
“I’m ready for the opportunity to do that,” Guyton said. “[I’ve] been working hard on it.”
She didn’t stop there however, as she kept attacking and scored her new career high 22 on perfect 6 for 6 shooting from three.
Six for 6 from three is also a program record for most three-point makes without a miss.
“I can see her growth, the confidence, the maturity,” Green said. “She’s smiling, she’s light, she put the work in.”
This makes you wonder how many minutes Guyton will continue to get once Gretchen Dolan returns from injury.
Freshmen Cearah Parchment also had a standout game. She had a double-double in the first half alone and finished the game with 12 points and 15 rebounds.
“It kind of felt like the ball was falling into my hand,” Parchment said. “I feel like I had my energy towards other things other than scoring tonight.”
Parchment was also the anchor of an Illini defense that held Wisconsin to just 60 points and under 40% from the field.
In addition to this, the Badgers only managed to connect on five threes despite their 23 attempts. This is a great look for the Illini defense against one of the premier three point shooting teams in the Big Ten.
“We were very determined to make sure they weren’t making those,” Brown-Hagger said. “At the end of the day, that’s all we had to do.”
On the other hand, Illinois was electric from three. They matched their season-high for threes in a game with 11. They did this on a very efficient 64.7% only attempting seven total.
This seemed to be Wisconsin’s defensive strategy form the get go as to start the game players such as Guyton, Jackson, and Brown-Hagger were being left open in attempt to prevent the ball getting inside.
Wisconsin head coach Robin Pingeton did not stay with this zone for very long.
“We practiced it,” Green said. “[We] put a couple new plays in against zone that they would not have seen.”
Six different Illini connected on a from deep, and along with Guyton, sophomore Berry Wallace and junior Maddie Webber were perfect.
Another Illini who really impressed Wednesday was Brown-Hagger. The junior had an effective 13 points to go along with 2 blocks and a steal.
“We were very principle driven,” Brown-Hagger said. “We try to be very intentional.”
She is usually a defensive specialist, but shined on both side of the ball. To add onto her offensive output,Brwn-Hagger was the main catalyst for the lack of threes from the Badgers. She also lead the team in box plus minus showing how important she is to Green’s team.
“I told her before the game ‘go out there and show them why you’re the best defender on the floor,” Green said. “And I thought she just took so much pride in her defense.”
Moments that Mattered
Berry Wallace connects from deep off a Destiny Jackson assist.
Jasmine Brown-Hagger with a tough up and under reverse layup.
Aaliyah Guyton gets the crowd on their feet after this triple.
Stat stuffers
- Maddie Webber had 15 points on 7 for 9 shooting.
- Destiny Jackson helped out with 10 points and 6 assists.
- Illinois had 24 assists compared to only 12 turnovers.
What’s next?
Illinois have just under a week off until Rutgers comes to town on Tuesday February 17th. Tip off at State Farm Center is set for 6 p.m. central.
The Illini will then get on a short bus ride up to Evanston to matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats for the second time this season. The Illini will look to sweep the season series once the ball is tipped at 2 p.m. central.
