CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois had its chances late.
After trailing by as many as 15 points, the Illini battled back to tie the game in the final minute Sunday at State Farm Center. Minnesota responded at the free-throw line and held on for a 78-73 win in Illinois’ regular-season finale. The loss means the Illini will enter as either the No. 9 or No. 10 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, depending on other results.
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Illinois (19-10, 9-9 Big Ten) opened with confidence. Cearah Parchment grabbed a defensive rebound on the first possession, and Aaliyah Guyton drilled a transition three for a 3-0 lead. On the next spark, Parchment drove and kicked to Berry Wallace for a corner three, giving the Illini early momentum.
Midway through the first quarter, Parchment went down grabbing her knee. She walked to the bench and later returned, yet Minnesota immediately attacked the paint in her absence.
Sophie Hart established position inside and scored repeatedly at the rim. Minnesota’s first 22 points came in the paint, capped by a Hart bucket at the buzzer to give the Golden Gophers a 22-14 lead after one quarter.
The interior dominance continued in the second. Minnesota built its lead through post touches and offensive rebounds, carrying a 36-29 advantage into halftime while owning a 22-11 edge on the glass.
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Illinois found offense in stretches. Maddie Webber knocked down two midrange pull-ups to steady the game. Wallace connected on a wing three. Guyton hit another triple off a Parchment assist. Destiny Jackson’s midrange jumper before the break capped an 8-0 run and cut the deficit to seven.
Minnesota stretched the lead back to double digits in the third quarter behind continued paint pressure and a deep wing three. At one point, 34 of the Golden Gophers’ first 40 points came in the paint.
Illinois responded with defensive intensity and timely shot-making. Parchment converted at the line despite her own foul trouble. Wallace cleaned up the glass for an offensive rebound and putback. Jasmine Brown-Hagger attacked downhill, and Webber drilled a deep wing three off a drive-and-kick to trim the deficit to four and ignite the crowd.
Webber finished 6-for-6 from the field for 14 points. Wallace led Illinois with 15 points. Guyton added 14, and Parchment scored 13.
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The fourth quarter turned into a possession-by-possession battle. Illinois applied full-court pressure and forced turnovers. Brown-Hagger recorded a steal and layup during an 8-1 run that cut the deficit to two.
Wallace later threaded a pass inside to Parchment, who backed down her defender and finished to tie the game at 68, the first tie since the opening minutes.
Minnesota regained the lead at the free-throw line with 42.2 seconds remaining. Illinois missed a pair of opportunities at the rim on the next possession, and Minnesota converted additional free throws to secure the win.
Minnesota shot 47% from the field and finished with 40 points in the paint, controlling the interior throughout much of the afternoon. Illinois shot 44% and made 10 3-pointers, yet the early rebounding deficit and paint scoring proved decisive.
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MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Aalyiah Guyton steps into a three to get the scoring started for Illinois.
Destiny Jackson rises up for a tough mid-range jumper as she converts on the buzzer beater.
Maddie Webber with a reverse layup on one of her 6 field goals.
STAT STUFFERS
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Maddie Webber shot 100% from the field. (6/6)
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Illinois shot 53% from beyond-the-arc on 10 makes
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The Illini had 8 team steals
UP NEXT
Illinois heads to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Tournament.
The Illini finished 9-9 in conference play and will enter the tournament as either the No. 9 or No. 10 seed, depending on other final results around the league.
The tournament begins Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
