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Illinois schools Murray State on Field Trip Day
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The State Farm Center transformed into a roaring classroom on Tuesday morning, and the lesson plan was simple: Illinois women’s basketball is must-see entertainment.In a dominant 84-64 victory over Murray State on Field Trip Day, the Illini didn’t just win a game; they put on a show for over 14,000 fans, a sea of young, screaming kids who turned the arena into a pressure cooker of noise and energy. It was the kind of atmosphere that can rattle even veteran squads, and for a Murray State team trying to play spoiler, it was simply too much to handle.The game started with a back-and-forth tussle, the Racers even holding a slim 11-10 lead late in the first quarter, but that was the high-water mark for the visitors. A Destiny Jackson jumper sparked a 15-4 Illinois run to close the quarter, and from that moment, the Illini never glanced in the rearview mirror, their lead growing as the decibel level from the youthful crowd soared with every Racers' possession.The electric environment clearly flustered Murray State, which struggled to a dismal 35% shooting from the field and an almost unthinkable 57% from the free-throw line, missing nine of their 21 attempts. In stark contrast, Illinois was surgical, shooting a blistering 91% from the charity stripe, a clinic in composure led by sophomore sensation Berry Wallace, who was a perfect 8-8 from the line on her way to a team-leading 22 points and eight rebounds.This was far from a one-woman show, however. It was a statement win built on collective effort and emerging depth.Freshman Destiny Jackson erupted for a career-high 18 points, while fellow freshman Cearah Parchment announced her arrival with her first career double-double, stuffing the stat sheet with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals. Head coach Shauna Green couldn't hide her excitement about Parchment's unique skill set, highlighting her versatility as a ball-handling big who can legitimately operate as a three-level scorer, a weapon Illinois hasn't had in the post for years.The bench, a question mark early this season, also came alive. Junior transfer Maddie Webber was a defensive pest, racking up deflections and blocks in her 21 minutes, while sophomore Aaliyah Guyton provided a steadying presence.With four players in double figures and nine different Illini scoring, this was the kind of complete, team-oriented performance that signals a program on the rise. The chemistry between underclassmen stars Wallace and Jackson, who combined for nearly half of Illinois’ points, is visibly growing, a terrifying prospect for future opponents. The Illini improve to 3-1, and the momentum from this emphatic home victory will be crucial as they face a significant test on the road against the Florida State Seminoles this weekend, a power-conference clash that will reveal just how far this young, exciting team has come.
#Illinois women's basketball
#Murray State
#Field Trip Day
#Berry Wallace
#Destiny Jackson
#featured
