The Illinois women’s basketball team will return to Champaign just as quickly as it departed for the Big Ten tournament in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Illinois trailed Nebraska from start to finish on Thursday, and the 86-71 loss marked an early exit from the Big Ten tournament for the Illini.

The Cornhuskers shot a blistering 62 percent from the field, compared to just 35 percent for Illinois, which had trouble settling into its offense the whole game.

“Looked like we were having trouble seeing what was happening today,” head coach Matt Bollant said. “Maybe a little shell shock that first half. Part of that was Nebraska coming out and making some shots early.”

Nebraska’s freshman guard Natalie Romeo jump-started the Husker offense, drilling five 3-pointers in the first half to give her team a 20 point lead heading into the locker room. Romeo finished the game leading all scorers with 26 points on 7-of-10 shooting from downtown.

Nebraska’s hot shooting forced head coach Matt Bollant to switch up his defensive schemes.

“When the buzz defense and our zone works well is when all five are moving on the flight of the ball,” Bollant said. “And we struggled with that today.”

Foul trouble also played a major role in the loss, with three Illini starters fouling out in the second half. After picking up three fouls each in the first half, sophomore Jacqui Grant and freshman center Chatrice White both fouled out midway through the second half. The duo combined for just 12 points and three rebounds.

“Being a step behind hurt and that’s kind of why we got into foul trouble,” Grant said. “And it stinks, that’s for sure.”

Nebraska began the game on a 15-3 run. Freshman guard Amarah Coleman came off the bench early to spark a 7-0 Illini run to bring them within five. The Cornhuskers answered with a 16-0 run, though, and would not look back from there.

Compared to just seven in the first half, the Illini forced 17 turnovers in the second half, during which they outscored the Huskers by five. Despite Illinois’ best efforts, the first half deficit proved to be too large.

In what could have very well be her final game as an Illini, senior guard Ivory Crawford also fouled out late in the second half. She did all she could to keep her team in it, though, and finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and five steals.

“I just gave my all,” Crawford said. “I’m not really so disappointed. I love my team and everything. And I’m just grateful that I’m able to play on that court.”

Following the game, Grant was frustrated the Illini couldn’t pull out a win for their senior leader.

“We wanted to do this for Ivory because of all the things she’s done for this team and all the seniors and coaches,” Grant said. “I’m really proud of Ivory.”

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