CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Shauna Green might have something special brewing in Champaign.
Despite welcoming a host of new players this offseason, Illinois rolled Indiana in its Big Ten opener on Saturday, 78-57, at State Farm Center. The Hoosiers entered the game 8-1 overall only with a loss to No. 10 Iowa State, but the Illini took the lead early in the first quarter and never looked back.
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The Illini played gritty defense throughout and never gave the Hoosiers an inch. Indiana was often shooting contested shots late in the shot clock and the Illini (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) even caused two 5-second violations in the first half.
“We really have to lock in on defense or else we can’t win games,” said junior Gretchen Dolan.
And lock in they did, the Illini held the Hoosiers to only 35.8% from the field — but if you exclude the fourth quarter where the Hoosiers managed to shoot over 56% — the defensive play was even more impressive where they shot only 27% in the first three quarters.
“I’m really happy and proud of our defensive effort that we came out with,” said head coach Shauna Green. “It’s something we always talk about and setting the tone.”
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The Illini on the other hand could not miss, as they shot well over 50% for almost the entire game and even shot over 60% as a team during the first quarter.
Illinois won this game by 21 points, and that’s what makes the game look close. Indiana outscored the Illini by 15 in the fourth quarter, but this game was never that close.
Illinois was led by Dolan and junior transfer Maddie Webber, who each scored 16 points. Webber was able to do this in only 21 minutes and shooting 8-of-11 from the field.
Those weren’t the only two Illini in double figures as sophomore Berry Wallace added 14 points and 7 rebounds, and freshman Cearah Parchment had 15 points and 13 rebounds of her own.
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Seven different players logged over 10 minutes played and each one of those players logged at least one point, rebound, and assist to go along with excellent overall team defense.
The Illini won this game with their back to the basket and pushing the ball inside. The Illini had 58 points scored in the paint compared to only 18 for the Hoosiers. On top of this the Illini had 23 assists compared to the Hoosiers’ 12, and Illinois’ 14 second-chance points when the Hoosiers only managed five.
The points in the paint was a big point of emphasis for Green and her squad and something they talked about in practice all week.
“We really want to put pressure on the rim, we want to get down hill,” Green said.
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Indiana has the Big Ten’s leading scorer in Shay Ciezki who averages over 24 points per game. She as well as Lenee Beaumont, who is another top 20 scorer, have essentially been the Hoosiers’ entire offense to start the season.
With this being known, and the Hoosiers’ lack of a strong defensive big, the Illini were able to hammer the ball down low every position and get whatever shot they wanted.
It seemed no matter who had the ball for the Illini the other four players on the court knew exactly what they were going to do with the ball. The whole team moved in sync, cutting, screening, and passing to the exact right spot.
“I think we did make a statement, but I definitely think we went into this game knowing we were going to win,” Parchment said. “We were going to stomp on their necks.”
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Moments that mattered
Jackson Brown-Hagger from three-point land.
Maddie Webber does it herself.
Tough And-1 for Gretchen Dolan.
Stat Stuffers
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Destiny Jackson at only 5’6 had 10 rebounds and 6 assists
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The Illini led by as many as 36
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This was Cearah Parchment’s third double-double of the season
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The Illini have now won three in a row against the Hoosiers
What’s next?
The Illini will travel down to Colombia, Missouri on Wednesday at 6 p.m. for a clash against the Mizzou Tigers. That game will be aired on the SEC Network.
Illinois will then travel back to State Farm Center on Dec. 14 to play the North Texas Mean Green for their annual Holiday Game at 2 p.m.
