
Illini See Fourth-Quarter Lead Evaporate vs. Michigan’s Late Energy
For the first time in the 2024-25 season, Illinois saw a fourth-quarter lead evaporate thanks to a team with more depth, more energy and more poise in the final minutes.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 2, 2025
CHAMPAIGN — The final three and a half minutes of the last regular season home game produced the nightmare scenario that the Illinois women’s basketball program has been desperately trying to avoid.
With a 65-59 lead, Illinois simply ran out of energy, offense and the will to stop a Michigan run that felt like it would’ve continued to get worse if the clock hadn’t run up of time. Michigan turned a six-point deficit into a 78-69 win on the momentum of a 19-4 run to finish the spoiling of a Senior Day celebration and State Farm Center.