Illinois Dominates the Paint, Advances to Second Round

On day one of the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament , No. 10 seed Illinois claimed an 82-70 victory over No. 15 seed Wisconsin, using dominant paint play and sharp free-throw shooting to close out the win. The Illini set the tone early with an 11-0 first-quarter run and took a 41-33 lead into halftime. Wisconsin battled back in the third quarter, opening with a 9-0 run to pull within one. Illinois weathered the storm, with Lety Vasconcelos stepping up in the paint and Berry Wallace hitting key shots to rebuild a double-digit lead. The Illini’s defense held strong during a fourth-quarter scoring drought before back-to-back layups stretched the lead to 78-62. Despite Kyrah Daniels’ late push for the Badgers, Illinois’ 46-28 advantage in the paint and poise at the line sealed the deal. The win showcased the Illini’s ability to control the pace and finish strong.

For Wisconsin, Gift Uchenna finished with 24 points, and Daniels had 18 behind 3-of-4 from three-point range. Berry Wallace led the Illini with 22 points, followed closely by point guard Destiny Jackson (21 points, five assists).

The full breakdown below. Illinois now takes on No. 7 seed Michigan State in the second round. Want to see them in person?  Click here  .

Fourth Quarter: Orange and Blue close the door

• Both teams throw punches to open the final period. 68-54 Illini with 7:30 left.
• Illinois' lead survives a 3+ minute scoring drought, but not before a couple buckets from Kyrah Daniels pull Wisconsin within 10.
• Point guard Destiny Jackson and the Illini start slowing the pace, but not before stretching their lead to 78-62 thanks to back-to-back layups.
• As the best free throw shooting team in the country, Illinois closes out the win, 82-70.
• Notable: Illinois outscored Wisconsin in the paint, 46-28.
• Key contributors (WIS): Gift Uchenna (24 points), Daniels (18 points, 3-4 3FG).
• Key contributors (ILL): Berry Wallace (22 points), Jackson (21 points, five assists)

Third Quarter: Badgers battle back

• Wisconsin opens with a 9-0 run to pull within one! Gift Uchenna nets four points early before Laci Steele nails a three on the fast break to make it 43-42 Illinois!
• The Badgers outscore the Illini 12-5 in the first five minutes of Q3, making it 46-45 Illini at the media timeout (4:57).
• Jumpers and free throws from Lety Vasconcelos and Berry Wallace put the Illini back up nine with 3:08 remaining.
• Vasconcelos uses her height to take control. She has eight points so far in the third quarter alone to accompany six rebounds.
• The teams go tit-for-tat to end the period with a 62-50 Illini advantage.

Second Quarter: Illini pull ahead, 41-33

• Illinois takes control in the opening minutes with an 8-2 run led by four points from Maddie Webber.
• The Illini stay hot, shooting 14 of 18 from inside the arc, while Wisconsin has a 3+ minute scoring drought. Illinois leads 39-23 with under three minutes left in the half.
• Wisconsin ends the half on a 10-2 run to make it 41-33 Illini at the break.
• Notable: Wisconsin is getting everyone involved with eight different Badgers on the scoreboard, led by eight points from Uchenna.
• Notable: Illinois is 1-11 from three-point range, but shooting 83% from within the arc.
• Key contributors (ILL): Berry Wallace (11 points), Destiny Jackson (9), Parchment (9)

First Quarter: Trading blows

• Wisconsin and Illinois trade blows over the first four minutes, with the Illini holding a slight 10-7 advantage.
• The Illini go on an 11-0 run, capped off by a Wallace three. Illinois owns the paint early, capitalizing on its height advantage. The Orange and Blue lead 17-7 at the media timeout, 4:27.
• The Badgers find a couple good looks down low thanks to Uchenna, cutting the Illini's lead to 19-15.
• End Q1: 23-17 Illinois

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