CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Illinois women’s basketball kept pace early but couldn’t match Ohio State down the stretch, falling 78–69 to the Buckeyes on Wednesday night at State Farm Center.
The Fighting Illini went into halftime tied 36–36 after a competitive first half, but Ohio State took control in the third quarter and maintained the edge despite a late Illinois rally. Illinois drops to 13–3 overall and 3–2 in Big Ten play.
Freshman Cearah Parchment led the Illini with a career-high 20 points and added eight rebounds, marking her first 20-point performance at the collegiate level. Berry Wallace followed with 17 points, while Destiny Jackson contributed eight.
Illinois held the rebounding advantage, 38–33, including 12 offensive boards, and forced 13 Ohio State turnovers that resulted in 12 points. Despite those efforts, the Illini struggled to slow Ohio State’s scoring run coming out of halftime.
Illinois built a brief first-quarter lead after a 6–0 run late in the period and carried a 22–19 advantage into the second quarter. Ohio State responded by evening the score before halftime.
The Buckeyes pulled ahead in the third quarter and extended the lead to 13 early in the fourth. Illinois answered with a 7–0 run to close the gap to six, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Wallace, but Ohio State responded quickly and sealed the win at the free-throw line.
Illinois returns to Big Ten action later this week as conference play continues.