INDIANAPOLIS — Illinois falls to Iowa in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
The Hawkeyes started early, and the Illini, as they’ve done often this season, started slow on Friday. The early jump propelled Iowa to beat Illinois 64-58.
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Despite the Illini finishing the game on a 15-0 run to end the game, the stagnant start out of the gate once again came back to haunt them. The final score was not at all indicative of the game played Friday night.
The orange and blue couldn’t buy a shot in Indianapolis Friday night. Berry Wallace, the Illini’s leading scorer, was ice cold. Late in the fourth quarter, the sophomore chucked up a three from the top of the key and found a way to bank it in. That shot would be just about the only luck the Illini (21-11) would receive.
Iowa (25-5) let some of the bench into the game, with the Hawkeyes up 64-43. The move undoubtedly led to the late Illini push; however, in March, resting your main rotation is sometimes a decision you have to make.
The Hawkeyes will move on to the semifinals, one win away from a likely matchup with No. 1 seed UCLA.
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Moments that mattered
The third quarter was all Hawkeyes.
A big shot from Jackson, but sadly too little too late for the Illini.
One of the few shots that fell for Berry Wallace.
Stat Stuffers
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Jasmine Brown-Hagger (ILL)- 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
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Ava Heiden (Iowa)- 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
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Illinois- 33.3% from the field, 22.7 from behind the arc
What’s next?
Illinois’ eyes will be glued to the TV next Sunday night.
The Illini should be in the NCAA Tournament, but that moment could be confirmed during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.
The bigger question for Shauna Green’s team, though: what seed do they receive?
It could be anywhere from a seven to a ten seed; however, regardless of seeding, the tournament bid will be huge for the program. A bid would make it the third time in four years that Green’s team has played in the tournament.
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It will be a long week-plus wait for the orange and blue, but it will likely make that wait more than worthwhile.