Illinois dominates Wisconsin in first round of Big Ten Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS — Despite a surge in the third quarter, the Illini held off the Badgers to move on to the next round of the Big Ten Tournament.

This was an all-around win for Illinois on Wednesday, with four players in double figures and two players who scored 20. Illinois has now beaten Wisconsin for a second time this season, this time with a score of 82-70.

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The Illini (20-10, 10-9 Big Ten) hammered the ball in low all game, and at points early on had more paint points than the Badgers (13-17, 5-14 Big Ten) had total points.

The real difference maker in this one was redshirt sophomore Lety Vasconcelos. The center reached her career high 12 points in just the third quarter and continued being strong inside the entire game.

“I’m so proud of her,” said Illinois head coach Shauna Green. “She was absolutely huge for us tonight.”

The 6-foot-seven-inch Brazilian was everywhere for the Illini, and was an instant impact any time she subbed into the game.

Wisconsin was in a zone for much of the game and had absolutely no answer for Vasconcelos’ aggressiveness once she caught the ball down low.

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“All of us were trying to continue to attack when they made it hard with that zone,” said sophomore Berry Wallace. “We were able to get some shots that we really wanted.”

Illinois struggled from beyond the arc for the entire game, shooting only two for 19 , but made up for it, by continuous working the ball into the paint and getting a lot of tough layups to fall.

The Illini scored 46 points in the paint, compared to only 28 by the Badgers.

Despite being only 5-foot-six-inches, Jackson enjoys driving the basketball, and if often very successful. Jackson managed to shoot 13 free throws and scored a career high 21 points.

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The freshman continued her great point guard play, directing the Illini offense that seemed to always end up with the shot they wanted.

She had more than half of the Illini’s assists.

Freshmen Cearah Parchment was huge was Illinois defensively, never allowing Wisconsin to get anything to fall inside.

She was a big reason that Illinois won the rebound battle, and even set the program freshman rebound record in the 1st quarter.

Illinois had 15 offensive rebounds, taking down 44% of their offensive rebounding opportunities, an outstanding number.

Vascancelos had five of those herself, and Parchment added three.

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With this win Illinois is all, but a lock for the NCAA Tournament and is projected to be an eight seed. If Illinois can beat Michigan State on Thursday, can they move up to a seven seed?

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