rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. —Illinois women’s basketball went into halftime tied 36-36 with Ohio State, but could not pull away in the second half and fell 78-69 to the Buckeyes at home Wednesday.
The Fighting Illini (13-3, 3-2) had two players score in double figures, led by Cearah Parchment, who had 20 points and eight rebounds. 20 points represents a career high and the first game with 20 or more points for Parchment. Berry Wallace tacked on 17 points and Destiny Jackson added eight points.
Illinois out-rebounded Ohio State 38-33 in Wednesday’s game, paced by Parchment’s eight boards. The Fighting Illini grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scored six second chance points.
The Illinois defense forced 13 Ohio State turnovers, which turned into 12 points on the other end of the floor. Jasmine Brown-Hagger, Gretchen Dolan, and Jackson each grabbed a steal for the Illini.
How It Happened
After falling behind 17-16, Illinois went on a 6-0 run with 2:11 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Maddie Webber, to take a 22-17 lead. The Fighting Illini finished the opening frame with a 22-19 lead.
The Fighting Illini surrendered their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime with the score tied 36-36. Illinois dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 14 points close to the basket.
Ohio State proceeded to take over in the third quarter and the Fighting Illini entered the fourth trailing 52-46.
Ohio State widened its lead in the fourth, constructing a 61-48 advantage before Illinois went on a 7-0 run to shrink the deficit to 61-55 with 6:05 to go in the contest. Wallace added a pair of clutch threes, extending her streak to four consecutive games with multiple three-pointers. Ohio State responded and outscored the Fighting Illini the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 78-69.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Postgame Notes
Player Notes:
Destiny Jackson added eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Berry Wallace turned in 17 points, four rebounds, and a block.
Her 14th outing with double-digit points this season and 25th of her career.
Fourth consecutive game with multiple three-pointers.
Maddie Webber scored nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
First Illini off the bench, checking in at 5:43 in the first quarter.
Third perfect outing with multiple makes from the charity stripe this season (3-for-3).
Cearah Parchment posted 20 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Her ninth game of the season scoring double digits, adding a career-high 20 points
Extends streak to 15 straight games with 5 or more total rebounds
Went 4-for-4 from the line, her ninth game this season without a missed free throw
Team Notes:
Ohio State won the opening tip and opened the scoring on its second possession.
The Illini held the Buckeyes scoreless for 3:20 in the second quarter, concluding the second quarter tied, 36-36.
Illinois went on a 7-0 run over 1:52 in the fourth quarter to pull within 61-55.
Two Illini scored double digits (Cearah Parchment [20], Berry Wallace [17]).
Misc. Notes:
Starters: Destiny Jackson, Jasmine Brown-Hagger, Gretchen Dolan, Berry Wallace, Cearah Parchment
This lineup is now 13-3 this season
Shauna Green is now:
48-12 in home games
33-26 in Big Ten play
76-38 at Illinois
203-88 as a Division I head coach
7-18 vs. AP Top-25 ranked opponents
Illinois vs. Ohio State: 20-60
Shauna Green’s coaching record vs. Ohio State: 0-4
Last win vs. Ohio State: 2/14/2015
OSU has won the last 14 meetings
Ohio State leads 23-14 when playing in Champaign
With a 13-3 start to the 2025-26 campaign, Illinois has equaled the second-best 16-game start in program history, which is also held by the 1986-87, 1981-82, and 1980-81 teams.
Illinois is now 10-1 when wearing white uniforms this season and are now 47-13 when doing so under Green.
The Illini are 5-2 in night games (before 5 p.m.) this season and 38-15 under Green.
Illinois is 2-1 in games played on Wednesdays this season and 13-6 under Green.
Illinois is 1-2 in the month of January this season and 15-11 under Green when playing in January.
Illinois is now 10-1 in home games this season and 48-12 under Shauna Green.
Illinois is 1-2 during the 2026 calendar year.
Score after 1st Quarter: 22-19Score at Halftime: 36-36 (14-17 2Q)Score after 3rd Quarter: 46-52 (10-16 3Q)Score after 4th Quarter: 69-78 (23-26 4Q)
