No. 22 Minnesota Women Beat Illinois, Clinch Big Ten Tournament Double-Bye

Game Summary

No. 22 Minnesota (22-7, 13-5 Big Ten) secured a 78-73 victory over Illinois (19-10, 9-9) in a closely contested match. The win gives Minnesota the No. 4 seed and a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

Key Plays

The game saw a tense finish, with Berry Wallace hitting a 3-pointer and Cearah Parchment scoring to tie the game at 70-all with just over a minute remaining. However, Minnesota sealed the win with free throws from Grace Grocholski, Mara Braun, and Tori McKinney.

Individual Performances

Historical Context

This victory marks a significant achievement for Minnesota, tying their program's single-season record for conference wins. The team looks to carry this momentum into the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois, despite the loss, concludes the regular season with a 19-10 record.

Conference Standings

The win solidified Minnesota's position in the Big Ten standings, ensuring a favorable seed in the upcoming tournament. Illinois will need to regroup as they head into the first round of the tournament.

It means they skip the first two rounds of the Big Ten Tournament and advance directly to the quarterfinals.

Berry Wallace led with 15 points, followed by Maddie Webber and Aaliyah Guyton with 14 each.

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