The University of Wisconsin women’s basketball team (13-12, 5-9 Big Ten) fell 92-60 to the University of Illinois (17-8, 7-7 Big Ten) on the road Wednesday night at the State Farm Center.
Wisconsin looked to bounce back from an overtime loss against Washington on Sunday to strengthen their position in the Big Ten standings, but Illinois proved difficult to control.
Badgers graduate student Shay Bollin transferred to Wisconsin after two seasons with the Illini’s, making Wednesday’s matchup a meaningful return to Illinois. She is playing her first season with Wisconsin after missing the entire 2024-25 season due to injury. Bollin completed the full-circle moment by delivering a balanced performance, finishing with four points, four assists and three rebounds.
Illinois opened strong with the game’s first basket by freshman Cearah Parchment, setting the tone for what became her ninth double-double of the season. Wisconsin responded quickly with their first basket by junior Kyrah Daniels. Back on the other end, Parchment continued to shine as a rebounder. Both teams started fast, showcasing their offensive strengths.
Both teams had trouble getting shots to fall, despite the game’s fast pace, with just one foul called on each team. The quarter ended with Illinois leading 24-16. The Illini’s physicality on the glass set the tone early, preventing Wisconsin from earning second-chance opportunities.
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Early in the second quarter, the Badgers looked for transition opportunities, staying within striking distance. Wisconsin started to fall behind, however, when it entered a scoring drought that lasted about three minutes, allowing for an 11-0 Illinois run that was eventually ended by freshman Dorja Zaja. Wisconsin’s offense stalled as Illinois’ ball pressure limited their attacks, forcing the Badgers to end the half with no free-throw attempts.
Zaja remained Wisconsin’s most dependable scoring, but the Illini continued to take control in the second quarter, building their largest lead of the game and entering halftime leading 42-26.
The Badgers, who played primarily zone defense, surrendered a wide-open corner 3-pointer to Illinois junior Jasmine Brown-Hagger as the Illini continued to build their lead.
Later in the third quarter, Zaja surpassed her career high as Illinois continued to play her one-on-one defensively. Despite her dominant performance, Wisconsin trailed 68-44 at the end of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Wisconsin closed with a 9-0 run in the final minutes, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Illinois. Zaja finished as the Badgers’ leading scorer with 16 points, followed by senior Gift Uchenna with 13 points. Graduate student Destiny Howell, coming off a 28-point game against Washington, was held to just three points.
Wisconsin shot 37% from the field and 22% from the 3-point line, while tallying 31 rebounds and 11 turnovers.
Wisconsin will continue forward as it heads back to the Kohl Center to host the University of Minnesota Sunday, Feb. 15.
