CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — All the stars were out at the State Farm Center Wednesday night.
After a crazy start to the new year, Illinois women’s basketball was back in action against a foe that’s had its number in the past — the Ohio State Buckeyes.
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The Buckeyes had beaten the Illini 13 times in a row coming into this matchup, and it would be 14 after Jaloni Cambridge was done terrorizing the Illini defense.
The 19th-ranked Buckeyes took down the Illini at State Farm Center, 78-69.
The orange and blue clearly didn’t want the Buckeyes to extend that streak to 14, though.
They came out firing in the first quarter, with star freshman Cearah Parchment having several jaw-dropping buckets.
The Buckeyes (14-2) struggled to maintain control of the game throughout the first three quarters. A storyline of the year for Shauna Green’s squad has been toughness. When they get punched in the mouth, they almost always respond.
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However, when someone like Cambridge comes to Champaign, you’re going to need your offense to hardly miss.
Cambridge dropped 41 points. Just insane stuff for any college basketball game. She was efficient, too, as she shot 60% from the field.
Behind uncharacteristic shooting from Gretchen Dolan and Maddie Webber, this might just have to be one of those games you chalk up if you’re the Illini (13-3), especially after Cambridge’s game. However, there was a lot of good that came out of the game today, and it’s something that Shauna Green will probably be showing recruits for a very long time.
Debatably the best women’s basketball player in the world, Aja Wilson, was in the arena to watch the Big Ten matchup.
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I gotta be honest, I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was actually seeing Wilson alongside her boyfriend Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. Adebayo has a game in Chicago on Thursday against the Bulls, so he and Wilson decided to take a little day trip to lovely Champaign.
I can’t blame them, though, as this was some high-level women’s hoops. It also really goes to show just how far Shauna Green has taken this program, with big-time names coming to show their support.
Stat Stuffers
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Jaloni Cambridge (OSU) – 41 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds
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Cearah Parchment (ILL) – 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
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Berry Wallace (ILL) – 17 points, 4 rebounds
Moments that mattered
Still can’t get over this, what a moment for the fans and players
Hard to disagree with the caption
I can’t believe she is only a freshman
What’s next?
The Illini should have their heads held high after the loss against the Buckeyes. Because things are just getting started.
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The team will be in action next on Sunday when they travel to face Penn State.
