ROSEMONT, Ill. - Cearah Parchment's superb Week 5 play helped the Fighting Illini extend their winning streak to six-straight games and pick up the program's first Big Ten-opening win since the 2016-17 season. The rookie was recognized as the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week the league office announced Monday.
The Canadian rookie averaged a monster double-double with 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds (5 off. rebs/game), 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 24.3 minutes per game. Parchment combined to shoot 44.4% (12-for-27) from the field, 50% (2-for-4) from 3-point range, and a perfect 100% (5-for-5) from the free-throw line.
Playing just 21 minutes in Illinois' 90-41 blowout win over Bellarmine, Parchment still racked up 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Four days later, in the first Big Ten conference game of her career, the rookie registered a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double; her third-straight double-double and fourth of the season. In her B1G opener, Parchment was stellar, in addition to the points and rebounds, she added two assists and a steal in 27 minutes of action. Parchment shot 40% from the field (6-for-15), 100% from 3-point range (2-for-2), and 100% from the free throw line (1-for-1).
The weekly award is the first of Parchment's career and she joined Destiny Jackson as Fighting Illini freshmen to earn the honor this season. Illinois is the only team to have two different freshmen honored with weekly awards.
