CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Cearah Parchment registered a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but Illinois fell to USC, 70-62, at sold-out State Farm Center Sunday.
The Fighting Illini stormed back to cut their deficit to six in the fourth quarter, though it was not enough to complete the comeback.
The game was played in front of a capacity crowd of 15,544, the program's first sellout since 1999 and the largest crowd for a Big Ten contest this season. Illinois is now one of four teams with multiple home games with crowds of 14,000+ this season, joining Iowa, South Carolina, and UConn.
In addition to Parchment's double-double, the Fighting Illini (16-8, 6-7) were led by Destiny Jackson, who had 17 points, eight assists, and a career-high eight steals. Berry Wallace scored in double figures for the 14th consecutive game, tacking on 10 points.
Illinois forced 15 USC turnovers, turning those takeaways into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor. Jackson's eight steals led the way for Illinois.
Next up, the Illini continue their three-game homestand against Wisconsin on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT.
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