Illinois opened Friday’s game with a 14-0 run and never trailed in an 86-43 win over Jackson State. Five Illinois players finished in double figures, led by Aaliyah Guyton’s 13 points off the bench.
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois did not wait long Friday night to show where the game was headed. Behind a relentless start on both ends of the floor, the Fighting Illini pulled away early and never looked back, cruising past Jackson State 86-43 at State Farm Center. The win moved Illinois to 11-1, matching the program’s best start in more than four decades and keeping the Illini perfect at home this season.
Illinois opened the game with a 14-0 run, holding the Lady Tigers scoreless for the first 5 minutes, 45 seconds. Cearah Parchment scored on the Illini’s first possession, and the pressure only intensified from there. Late baskets by Lety Vasconcelos and Parchment helped Illinois close the opening quarter with a commanding 25-5 lead.
The second quarter followed a similar script. Illinois pushed the margin to 35-8 before stringing together a 12-0 run midway through the period to build a 47-8 advantage. Jackson State managed just 10 points in the first half, the lowest single-half total allowed by Illinois this season, as the Illini went into the locker room up 47-10.
Illinois stayed in control coming out of the break. A short burst early in the third quarter, capped by a basket from Gretchen Dolan, extended the lead to 60-22 with 2:35 remaining. Jackson State found some rhythm from the perimeter late in the quarter behind three triples from Rhema Pegues, but Illinois still entered the fourth ahead 64-30.
Any remaining momentum was brief. A late 9-0 run in the fourth quarter, finished by a Maddie Webber three, stretched the lead to 77-34 and effectively sealed the outcome. Illinois closed out the night with a 22-13 edge in the final quarter.
Five Illini scored in double figures, led by Aaliyah Guyton with 13 points in her first game back since Dec. 2. Webber added 12 points and four assists off the bench, while Berry Wallace finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Dolan scored 12 points, and Parchment added 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
Illinois out-rebounded Jackson State 41-27, forced 14 turnovers and converted those takeaways into 24 points. The Illini also controlled play around the basket, outscoring the Lady Tigers 58-18 in the paint, and did not allow a Jackson State player to reach double figures.
All 12 available Illinois players saw the floor as the Illini extended their winning streak to nine games.
Illinois returns to action Sunday with a Big Ten road test at Purdue. Tipoff in West Lafayette is set for 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
