By IlliniGuys Staff

March 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Destiny Jackson posted her first career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to pace 7-seed Illinois to a 66-57 victory over 10th seeded Colorado in their NCAA Tournament opener.

The triumph gives the Illini (22-11) wins in back-to-back NCAA tourneys for the first time since 2000.

Jackson had yet to be born then and neither had Cearah Parchment. Her star classmate and teammate on the All-Big Ten Freshman team made her NCAA debut with 21 points and five rebounds.

"The whole season really prepared me for this", Parchment t0ld ESPN after the game. "I started to feel more confident as the season went on and that really led to this."

Illinois (22-11) battled the Buffaloes throughout the first quarter, finally taking the lead for good on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Maddie Webber for a 23-18 lead.

The Illini never trailed again, thanks to Jackson. Limited to just five points in the first three quarters, the 2025 Illinois Ms. Basketball scored 11 of Illinois' 19 points in the final period. Jackson, who set the Illini freshman assist record this season, also dished out six assists on the night.

Berry Wallace added 18 points and six rebounds and helped anchor a late defensive effort that kept the Buffaloes scoreless for the final four minutes of the game to seal the win. Jasmine Brown-Hagger tied a career-high with four steals.

Colorado (22-12) was led by Desiree Wooten's 17 points.

Illinois now sets sights on 2-seed and subregional host Vanderbilt on Monday. The Commodores slammed High Point 102-61 in the early game at Memorial Gym on Saturday. An Illini victory would give them their first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance since 1998.