Illinois outlasts Northwestern, matches best start in program history

SB Nation

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A tight conference battle at home.

Coming off a road loss at Michigan State earlier in the week, Illinois returned to the State Farm Center Sunday afternoon looking to respond against

in-state rival Northwestern. The Illini did just that, holding off a late push from the Wildcats to secure a 74-71 win in a game that came down to the final seconds.

The victory improved Illinois to 15-4 overall and 5-3 in Big Ten play, matching the best start in program history. It also served as another example of this team’s ability to close games when things get uncomfortable, even as Northwestern repeatedly threatened to flip the momentum.

Berry Wallace was the difference.

The junior put together her best performance of the season, finishing with a career-high 29 points while consistently getting downhill and attacking the paint. When Northwestern made its run in the fourth quarter, Wallace responded every time, either finishing through contact or stepping to the line and knocking down free throws. As the Wildcats trimmed the lead to one possession multiple times late, Wallace’s ability to create offense kept Illinois in control.

Illinois also got a major lift from Aaliyah Guyton, who made her first start of the season and played with confidence throughout. Guyton hit timely shots to calm Illinois during Northwestern runs and helped spark a late-second-quarter surge that gave the Illini a 40–33 lead heading into halftime. Her presence was especially important with Destiny Jackson dealing with early foul trouble, allowing Illinois to keep its offensive rhythm.

Northwestern refused to go away. Grace Sullivan and Xamiya Walton led the charge, with Walton catching fire from deep and Sullivan finding ways to score in traffic. The Wildcats’ shot-making turned the game into a possession-by-possession battle late, as several threes cut Illinois’ lead down to one and forced the Illini to execute under pressure.

What allowed Illinois to survive was its physicality inside and work on the glass. The Illini finished with 18 offensive rebounds, creating second-chance opportunities that proved crucial as the game tightened. Cearah Parchment and Lety Vasconcelos were especially active around the rim, helping Illinois extend possessions and limit Northwestern’s ability to take full control.

Down the stretch, Illinois also made a key defensive adjustment. After playing man-to-man for most of the game, the Illini shifted into a 3–2 zone late in the fourth quarter. The change forced Northwestern into rushed perimeter looks and helped Illinois get critical stops when it mattered most.

The final minute was chaotic. After Northwestern missed a chance to take the lead, Parchment came up with a huge defensive rebound and was fouled, heading to the line with the Illini clinging to a two-point advantage. The freshman split the pair, pushing the lead to three. With no timeouts left, Northwestern advanced the ball and got one last look from deep, but the shot fell short as time expired.

It wasn’t always clean, but Illinois found a way.

In a game that required toughness, rebounding and late-game execution, the Illini checked each box. As Big Ten play continues to grind on, wins like this one only strengthen Illinois’ case as a team capable of competing with anyone in the conference.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Wallace starts the game with an early offensive rebound and putback, a sign of similar things to come.

In her first start of the season, Aaliyah Guyton had 13 points, knocking down a 3 here.

Berry Wallace seals the deal with a career-high 29 points, with another basket in the paint.

STAT STUFFERS

Illinois dominated the glass with 18 offensive rebounds
The Illini shot 86% from the FT line going 19-22, as they lead the Big Ten in FT %.
Illinois had 38 points in the paint.