CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Berry Wallace scored 22 points to help lead the Illinois women's basketball team over the Murray State Racers 84-64 at home Tuesday in front of a Field Trip Day crowd of 14,361.
The Fighting Illini (3-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Wallace, who had 22 points and eight rebounds. Destiny Jackson tacked on 18 points and five assists, Aaliyah Guyton chipped in as well with 12 points from the bench, and Cearah Parchment registered her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Illinois grabbed 41 rebounds in Tuesday's game compared to Murray State's 33, led by Parchment's 11.
The Illinois defense was a problem in Tuesday's game, forcing 17 Murray State turnovers while committing 15. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor. Parchment's two steals led the way individually for the Fighting Illini.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 14-13 advantage, Illinois went on an 11-0 run with 3:16 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Guyton, to increase its lead to 25-13. The Fighting Illini then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 25-16 advantage. Illinois did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 25 points close to the basket.
Illinois kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 8:54 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 35-19. The Fighting Illini proceeded to tack on one point to that lead and enjoyed a 47-30 advantage heading into halftime. Illinois saw non-starters score seven of its 22 total points off the bench in the quarter.
Illinois continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Jackson, to expand its lead further to 52-33 with 6:32 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Fighting Illini added two points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 67-46 edge.
The Illini then went on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 82-61 with 2:21 to go in the contest. The Racers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but Illinois still cruised the rest of the way for the 84-64 win. The Illini got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring eight of its 17 total points.
