A powerhouse 3-point attack lifts Illinois to a confident win over North Texas
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois drained shots from long range at a blistering 64.7 percent clip to defeat North Texas 81-69 at State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini move to 10-1 this season, matching their best start in program history and marking their strongest opening stretch in more than four decades.
Three Illini reached double figures, led by Berry Wallace’s career-best 28 points and nine rebounds. Wallace was perfect from the floor in the first half (4-for-4) and added four offensive rebounds to reach nine boards overall.
Gretchen Dolan contributed 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Maddie Webber came off the bench for 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
The Illinois offense thrived from beyond the arc, drilling 11 triples on 17 attempts. Dolan led the way with four 3s, and Wallace and Webber each knocked down three.
How it unfolded
Illinois grabbed an early 9-7 edge, then surged to a 7-0 burst late in the first quarter to take a 16-7 lead. They extended the advantage to 16-9 after one period, turning seven North Texas turnovers into six transition points.
The Illini pushed the gap to 33-22 in the second quarter, and a 7-0 run beginning at 3:26, highlighted by a Wallace bucket, made it 40-22. North Texas trimmed the margin, but Illinois still led 42-28 at halftime. Illinois buried five 3-pointers in the period while finishing the half 6-of-7 from long range.
Illinois carried the comfortable lead into the third, expanding it to 62-42 with 53 seconds left in the frame. They headed to the fourth up 63-44, continuing to connect from deep with three more 3-pointers.
The Illini held on down the stretch, pulling down five offensive rebounds and converting seven second-chance points in the final period on 18 total offensive boards for the game.
Next up
Illinois wraps up nonconference play at State Farm Center against Jackson State on Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. CT."}
