For only the second time in program history, Illinois (13-1, 3-0) took down No. 7 Maryland (14-1, 2-1). The game was tense from the start and was defined by fast-paced transition play and hard fouls.

For back-to-back years, free throws have been the deciding factor between the Terrapins and the Illini. Last year, senior guard Genesis Bryant sank a free throw for a walk-off win on the road, 66-65.

This year, with 18 seconds to go, sophomore forward Berry Wallace stripped the ball from redshirt senior guard Saylor Poffenbarger on an inbound under the basket. She was fouled on the way down, sending her to the line to seal the victory. The team’s nation-leading free-throw percentage (82.72%) showed, with the Illini shooting 20-for-23 from the line.

Season-ending injuries and early foul trouble meant that Maryland had to dig deep into its bench, and that inexperience led to some costly mistakes. Still, the Terrapins were no less dangerous in transition. On one of their possessions, they inbounded and scored in under six seconds, and only dribbled three times. 

“We knew coming in that they’re a great defensive team and that they’re physical,” said redshirt sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan. “So an emphasis for us was executing on offense and getting what we want, even with their pressure. We just settled into it.”

Illinois needed composed playmaking and focused defense to shut Maryland down, and it did so from start to finish. Multiple players from the Illini were huge in the win, but the standouts were Wallace, Dolan and freshman forward Cearah Parchment. They were the only Illini to hit double digits, and Wallace dropped her seventh 20-point game.

Wallace did it all

Wallace’s three-level scoring anchored the Illini on offense. She knocked down the game’s first 3-pointer to end the first quarter, then started the second with another. 

Maryland’s perimeter defense couldn’t contain Illinois’ many 3-point shooters. Offensively, the Terrapins didn’t have many threats from deep to counter the Illini’s conversions. Their top threats from deep, senior guard Yardon Garzon and Poffenbarger, average 37.4% and 39.1%, respectively, but went a combined 1 for 10 on the night.

Wallace also attacked and finished at the rim effectively, which was a struggle at times for Illinois. Finally, she was able to close the game at the charity stripe. She leads Illinois in free throws made per game with 4.7 and sank all six of her attempts on Thursday.

Wallace rarely looked rushed or tired during the game, and her composure was needed when time was running out and Maryland was closing in. When Illinois had some untimely turnovers late in the game, Wallace’s defense stayed strong to keep her teammates on track.  Add in her last-minute steal and free throws that sealed the win, and Wallace was instrumental to the victory.

Dolan carved apart Terrapin defense

Dolan’s fast feet and mid-range efficiency were as critical to the win as Wallace’s performance. Maryland has a top-20 defensive rating in the country, but Dolan was able to navigate the paint with ease. She had a poor night from the 3-point line, missing both of her attempts, but her ability to drive downhill gave the Illini a much-needed boost late in the game when turnovers started piling up. 

“Anytime she gets the ball, I’m expecting that she’s gonna score,” Wallace said on Dolan’s ability to attack the paint. “I know she’s always gonna make big plays for us.”

Dolan’s defense was also key, as she was tasked with switching on and off of shooters like Garzon, the Terrapins’ leading scorer, junior guard Oluchi Okananwa, and star freshman guard Addi Mack. With Dolan’s help to push Maryland away from the basket and force long, contested shots, the three guards finished the night with 17, 12 and 4.

Parchment battles on glass, floor

The freshman phenom had another outstanding performance. Parchment proved once again that, despite her youth, she can play like an upperclassman, especially on the boards.

“I said to them at halftime that our defense and our rebounds are gonna win this game for us,” said head coach Shauna Green.

The Canadian rookie leads the Illini in both offensive and defensive boards, averaging 2.4 and 5.6 per game, respectively. She led her team in this game too, grabbing four on each end of the floor. One of those offensive rebounds came off her own miss. Her shot was short, but she followed it to the rim and grabbed the uncontested rebound for a putback. 

In such a tight game against a high-ranked opponent, every possession matters, and Parchment put her body on the line for every one. She took two charges this game, and the second was notable as it forced the Terrapins to sit Mack late in the third when they were trying to get back into the game. 

“It’s a big emphasis that if you’re in the right position, take a charge,” Parchment said.

Parchment made splashes on the offensive end, too. In the fourth quarter, Maryland had gone cold despite having many opportunities to score, and Illinois was on a 7-1 run. Parchment pulled up for an open three and sank it to put Illinois up by four.

Strong team effort

Altogether, the Illini showed that they can play with the best of the best and come out on top. 

“Every single one of these guys stepped up and made some big-time plays,” Green said. “Everyone who played was locked in and ready to go.”

Freshman point guard Destiny Jackson and junior guard Maddie Webber pushed the ball from end to end as quickly as Maryland to never let the lead get too big. Sophomore point guard Aaliyah Guyton was able to sub in for Jackson and keep the pace fast while also working more time off the clock and holding Illinois possessions for longer. 

“This was a great win for the team,” Wallace said. “It was cool to experience this together and see all of our hard work finally pay off. But we’ll just be ready to come back for the next one.”

From defense to offense, there were very few big mistakes. If Illinois can repeat this level against No. 24 Michigan State, its 11-game win streak looks primed to continue. 

@briedirl

[email protected]

For only the second time in program history, Illinois (13-1, 3-0) took down No. 7 Maryland (14-1, 2-1). The game was tense from the start and was defined by fast-paced transition play and hard fouls.

For back-to-back years, free throws have been the deciding factor between the Terrapins and the Illini. Last year, senior guard Genesis Bryant sank a free throw for a walk-off win on the road, 66-65.

This year, with 18 seconds to go, sophomore forward Berry Wallace stripped the ball from redshirt senior guard Saylor Poffenbarger on an inbound under the basket. She was fouled on the way down, sending her to the line to seal the victory. The team’s nation-leading free-throw percentage (82.72%) showed, with the Illini shooting 20-for-23 from the line.

Season-ending injuries and early foul trouble meant that Maryland had to dig deep into its bench, and that inexperience led to some costly mistakes. Still, the Terrapins were no less dangerous in transition. On one of their possessions, they inbounded and scored in under six seconds, and only dribbled three times. 

“We knew coming in that they’re a great defensive team and that they’re physical,” said redshirt sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan. “So an emphasis for us was executing on offense and getting what we want, even with their pressure. We just settled into it.”

Illinois needed composed playmaking and focused defense to shut Maryland down, and it did so from start to finish. Multiple players from the Illini were huge in the win, but the standouts were Wallace, Dolan and freshman forward Cearah Parchment. They were the only Illini to hit double digits, and Wallace dropped her seventh 20-point game.

Wallace did it all

Wallace’s three-level scoring anchored the Illini on offense. She knocked down the game’s first 3-pointer to end the first quarter, then started the second with another. 

Maryland’s perimeter defense couldn’t contain Illinois’ many 3-point shooters. Offensively, the Terrapins didn’t have many threats from deep to counter the Illini’s conversions. Their top threats from deep, senior guard Yardon Garzon and Poffenbarger, average 37.4% and 39.1%, respectively, but went a combined 1 for 10 on the night.

Wallace also attacked and finished at the rim effectively, which was a struggle at times for Illinois. Finally, she was able to close the game at the charity stripe. She leads Illinois in free throws made per game with 4.7 and sank all six of her attempts on Thursday.

Wallace rarely looked rushed or tired during the game, and her composure was needed when time was running out and Maryland was closing in. When Illinois had some untimely turnovers late in the game, Wallace’s defense stayed strong to keep her teammates on track.  Add in her last-minute steal and free throws that sealed the win, and Wallace was instrumental to the victory.

Dolan carved apart Terrapin defense

Dolan’s fast feet and mid-range efficiency were as critical to the win as Wallace’s performance. Maryland has a top-20 defensive rating in the country, but Dolan was able to navigate the paint with ease. She had a poor night from the 3-point line, missing both of her attempts, but her ability to drive downhill gave the Illini a much-needed boost late in the game when turnovers started piling up. 

“Anytime she gets the ball, I’m expecting that she’s gonna score,” Wallace said on Dolan’s ability to attack the paint. “I know she’s always gonna make big plays for us.”

Dolan’s defense was also key, as she was tasked with switching on and off of shooters like Garzon, the Terrapins’ leading scorer, junior guard Oluchi Okananwa, and star freshman guard Addi Mack. With Dolan’s help to push Maryland away from the basket and force long, contested shots, the three guards finished the night with 17, 12 and 4.

Parchment battles on glass, floor

The freshman phenom had another outstanding performance. Parchment proved once again that, despite her youth, she can play like an upperclassman, especially on the boards.

“I said to them at halftime that our defense and our rebounds are gonna win this game for us,” said head coach Shauna Green.

The Canadian rookie leads the Illini in both offensive and defensive boards, averaging 2.4 and 5.6 per game, respectively. She led her team in this game too, grabbing four on each end of the floor. One of those offensive rebounds came off her own miss. Her shot was short, but she followed it to the rim and grabbed the uncontested rebound for a putback. 

In such a tight game against a high-ranked opponent, every possession matters, and Parchment put her body on the line for every one. She took two charges this game, and the second was notable as it forced the Terrapins to sit Mack late in the third when they were trying to get back into the game. 

“It’s a big emphasis that if you’re in the right position, take a charge,” Parchment said.

Parchment made splashes on the offensive end, too. In the fourth quarter, Maryland had gone cold despite having many opportunities to score, and Illinois was on a 7-1 run. Parchment pulled up for an open three and sank it to put Illinois up by four.

Strong team effort

Altogether, the Illini showed that they can play with the best of the best and come out on top. 

“Every single one of these guys stepped up and made some big-time plays,” Green said. “Everyone who played was locked in and ready to go.”

Freshman point guard Destiny Jackson and junior guard Maddie Webber pushed the ball from end to end as quickly as Maryland to never let the lead get too big. Sophomore point guard Aaliyah Guyton was able to sub in for Jackson and keep the pace fast while also working more time off the clock and holding Illinois possessions for longer. 

“This was a great win for the team,” Wallace said. “It was cool to experience this together and see all of our hard work finally pay off. But we’ll just be ready to come back for the next one.”

From defense to offense, there were very few big mistakes. If Illinois can repeat this level against No. 24 Michigan State, its 11-game win streak looks primed to continue. 

@briedirl

[email protected]