Illinois (11-4, 1-3) lost its second consecutive game, falling to Minnesota (15-1, 3-1), 68-61. The Illini looked good through three quarters against the Golden Gophers and held a 48-40 lead going into the fourth quarter. However, the final quarter favored Minnesota, and Illinois’ offense fell flat. Minnesota outscored Illinois 28-13 in the fourth, stealing the win right out of Illinois’ hands.
Strong, gritty play
It was a slow start offensively for the Illini. They started 0-6 from the floor, missing multiple layups. Then, they finally got on the board after senior guard Adalia McKenzie got a jumper to fall. Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant wasn’t far behind, hitting a three-pointer one possession later.
Illinois got its momentum back after Minnesota opened the game on a 7-0 run. The team finished the first quarter with a run of its own, outscoring Minnesota 8-2 to take an 18-15 lead into the second quarter.
The Illiniʼs defensive effort was impressive as well. The Golden Gophers started the game with an efficient 6-8 from the floor. However, they cooled off considerably, finishing the half shooting just 11-28 from the floor.
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The third quarter wasn’t much different, and Illinois kept up the pressure on both sides. Illinois scored 21 points to Minnesota’s 13. Defense and offense were meshing. The Illini took their biggest lead of the game late in the third quarter. But Minnesota didn’t sit down and go quietly.
Late game collapse
Minnesota came out swinging in the fourth quarter. It hit a three-pointer and then scored off an Illinois turnover, bringing the lead down to three. That sequence set the tone for the rest of the quarter. It continued to go back and forth, with the Illini barely hanging on to their lead.
Late in the quarter, Minnesota tied the game on a layup from sophomore guard Grace Grocholski. Less than a minute later, Grocholski was fouled by McKenzie. It was McKenzieʼs fifth foul, so she exited the game after that. Grocholski went to the line and hit both free throws to give the Golden Gophers a two-point lead.
That was it for the Illini, and they couldn’t get the lead back. They had plenty of chances but couldn’t get anything going offensively. They also continued to foul freshman guard Tori McKinney, who is shooting 91.7% from the charity stripe this season. She made seven of her eight free throws in the fourth, cementing the Illiniʼs loss.
Injury woes
Fifth-year guard Makira Cook was inactive once again, making this the sixth consecutive game she’s missed. The team is shorthanded without her, as it lacks a true point guard.
Cook wasn’t the only guard who missed this game; sophomore Gretchen Dolan was also inactive. She has been in and out of the lineup. Dolan played for the first time in a month against Oregon and has now been out the last two games. Her presence off the bench is big for the Illini, as she averages 10.5 points per game this season.
The injuries have impacted starters as well. Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic, Bryant and McKenzie have all been playing increased minutes. They have hardly seen the bench in the last few games.
Between the shorthanded bench and more fatigued starters, Illinois is in a bad spot. The Big Ten games are some of the toughest on the schedule. As shown in this matchup, no one gives up without a fight. But if the Illini can’t get some players back soon, the losses may start to pile up.
Next up
Illinois heads back home to face off against Iowa (12-2, 2-1). Being back home favors Illinois, which is 9-1 at State Farm Center, as one of Iowa’s two losses came in an away game.
@ben_some16
