INDIANAPOLIS -- A pair of 20-point games from Berry Wallace and Destiny Jackson fueled the Illinois women's basketball team past [15] Wisconsin, 82-70, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the First Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday.
The Fighting Illini (20-10) had four players score in double figures, led by Wallace, who had 22 points and three steals. Jackson added a career-high 21 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Cearah Parchment posted 14 points and broke the program's freshman season rebounding record. Lety Vasconcelos registered a career-high 12 points while adding six boards.
Illinois out-rebounded Wisconsin 37-29 in Wednesday's game, paced by six boards - five offensive - from Vasconcelos. The Fighting Illini also collected 15 offensive rebounds and turned in 14 second chance points. Illinois dominated the battle of the paint, 46-28.
The Illinois defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Wednesday's win, forcing 19 Wisconsin turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 24 points on the offensive end of the floor. Wallace's three steals led the way individually for the Fighting Illini.
How It Happened
After Wisconsin took a brief 7-6 lead, Illinois went on an 11-0 run with 6:31 left in the first quarter, culminating in a trey from Wallace, to take a 17-7 lead. The Fighting Illini led 23-17 after 10 minutes of play. Illinois did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 23 points close to the basket.
Illinois built that first quarter lead to 33-23 before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 4:37 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Vasconcelos, to increase its lead to 39-23. The Badgers battled back, but the Fighting Illini still owned a 41-33 advantage heading into halftime after a steal and layup at the buzzer by Aaliyah Guyton. Illinois dominated in the paint, scoring 16 of its 18 points close to the basket in the frame.
Out of the break, Illinois went on an 8-0 run to expand its lead further to 62-48 with 41 seconds to go in the third. The Illini entered the fourth quarter with a 62-50 edge. Illinois took advantage of three Wisconsin turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of takeaways. Vasconcelos took control in the period, scoring eight points on 3-for-4 shooting and a pair of free throws to go along with three rebounds.
A Wallace layup grew the Illinois lead to 78-62 with 2:08 to go in the contest and Illinois closed things out for the 82-70 win. Illinois took advantage of four Wisconsin turnovers in the quarter, scoring five points off of those takeaways. Jackson and Wallace owned the fourth quarter, scoring eight and seven points, respectively.Â
