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Despite clawing back from a 15-point deficit, Northwestern (8-11, 2-6 B1G) could not pull through in the final seconds against in-state rival No. 25 Illinois (15-4, 5-3 B1G), falling 74-71 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday afternoon.
The Wildcats were paced by 21 points and nine rebounds from Grace Sullivan, who shot 10-of-22 from the field but missed a difficult game-tying shot on the baseline in the final minute. Xamiya Walton tacked on 19 points with a career-high five three-pointers, and Casey Harter and Caroline Lau both scored in double digits as well. Lau also had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but her deep, contested three missed off the backboard.
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For the Illini, Berry Wallace dominated with 29 points and nine rebounds. Despite shooting just 37.9% compared to NU’s 45.2%, Illinois secured the win through elite rebounding, as it outstripped the ‘Cats with a 42-27 rebound margin.
Losing the opening tip would not deter the ‘Cats from opening the scoring, as Sullivan found Walton in the corner for a quick three-pointer. Illinois answered with five straight points — a jumper from Jasmine Brown-Hagger and a three from Cearah Parchment — to take a 5-3 lead. From there, the teams traded blows, with the ‘Cats knotting things up at 11 after a big three-pointer from Lau.
Illinois closed the quarter on a 10-6 run to regain control. Maddie Webber hit a key three-pointer, and Wallace added another bucket for good measure.
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Sullivan kept Northwestern within striking distance, scoring a couple of buckets in the final 0:54. Nonetheless, Illinois took a 21-17 lead into the second quarter.
Sullivan picked up right where she left off, cutting the deficit to three after a Parchment bucket with a layup and a free throw to complete an and-1. After a defensive stop, she brought the ‘Cats to a 23-22 deficit with another jumper. Walton then gave Northwestern its first lead since the opening minutes with a pull-up jumper, capping…
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Publish date : 2026-01-18 22:08:00
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