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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Despite a pair of 20-point scorers, the Illinois women’s basketball team fell to No. 24/19 Michigan State 81-75 on the road Sunday. The Fighting Illini outscored the Spartans in the second half but came up short, snapping the 11-game win streak. Illinois has still matched the program’s best 15-game start.
The Fighting Illini (13-2, 3-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Webber and Wallace, who both tallied 22 points. Wallace tacked on six rebounds and two blocks while Gretchen Dolan chipped in as well with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Illinois offense was impressive from beyond the arc, knocking down 10 threes on 23 attempts. Webber and Wllace each hit four treys for the Fighting Illini in the contest.
How It Happened
Illinois struggled getting shots to fall out of the gate, falling behind 23-18 at the end of the first quarter. Wallace led the way in the frame with eight points.
Illinois opened the second quarter by going on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a three from Aaliyah Guyton, to take a 24-23 lead. The Spartans then came roaring back to take a 44-32 lead heading into halftime.
Michigan State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 54-39 advantage before Illinois went on a 6-0 run to trim its deficit to 54-45 with 2:42 to go in the third. The Fighting Illini continued to battle, shrinking the MSU lead to 58-50 by the end of the third quarter. Illinois scored four fast break points in the quarter.
Illinois kept the Spartans from adding to their lead before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Webber’s three, to shrink the deficit to 75-72 with 35 seconds to go in the contest. Michigan State responded and outscored the Fighting Illini the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 81-75. Illinois fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 25 points.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
POSTGAME NOTES
Player Notes:
Gretchen Dolan finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal against 0 turnovers.
Destiny Jackson added 6 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Second game of the season with double-digit rebounds – both against Big Ten opponents.
Five or more assists for the ninth time this season.
Berry Wallace turned in 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal while playing all 40 minutes.
Eight first quarter points
Went 8-for-17 from the field, 4-for-6 from deep, and 2-for-2 from the line.
Her 14th outing with double-digit points this season and 25th of her career.
Eighth 20-point game of the season and her career.
Fourth consecutive game with multiple three-pointers.
Maddie Webber scored a season-high 22 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter.
Added two rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 28 minutes of work.
First Illini off the bench, checking in at 6:48 in the first quarter.
Went 8-for-13 overall, 4-for-8 from 3, and 2-for-3 from the line.
10th game of the season scoring double digits, 50th of her career.
First game of the season scoring 20+ points, fourth of her career.
22 points are her most as an Illini.
17 fourth quarter points is the most by a player in a single quarter under Shauna Green.
Team Notes:
Michigan State won the opening tip and scored on the first possession.
After Illinois took a 24-23 lead in the second quarter, Michigan State went on a 9-0 run out to a 32-24 lead.
Three Illini scored double digits (Berry Wallace [22], Maddie Webber [22], and Gretchen Dolan [12]).
Two Illini scored 20+ points for the first time in a game this season.
Illinois connected on 10+ 3-pointers for the second time of the season.
Misc. Notes:
Starters: Destiny Jackson, Jasmine Brown-Hagger, Gretchen Dolan, Berry Wallace, Cearah Parchment
Shauna Green is now:
21-18 in road games
33-23 in Big Ten play
76-37 at Illinois
203-87 as a Division I head coach
Illinois vs. Michigan State: 28-48
Shauna Green’s coaching record vs. Michigan State: 1-3
Last win at Michigan State: 1/23/2014
With its 13-2 start to the 2025-26 campaign, Illinois has tied the best 15-game start in program history.
Illinois is now 1-1when wearing blue uniforms this season and are now 18-14 when doing so under Green.
The Illini are 8-1 in day games (before 5 p.m.) this season and 38-23 under Green.
Illinois is 4-1 in games played on Sundays this season and 23-15 under Green.
Illinois is 1-1 in the month of January this season and 15-10 under Green when playing in January.
Illinois is now 3-2 in road games this season and 21-18 under Shauna Green.
Illinois is 1-1 during the 2026 calendar year.
Score after 1st Quarter: 18-23Score at Halftime: 32-44 (14-21 2Q)Score after 3rd Quarter: 50-58 (18-14 3Q)Score after 4th Quarter: 81-75 (25-23 4Q)
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