Illini Rally Comes Up Short in Road Loss to Huskers

By lllliniGuys Staff

January 24, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

LINCOLN, Neb. - Cearah Parchment scored 23 of her career-high 25 points in the second half as Illinois rallied from a double-digit deficit before falling to No. 24 Nebraska 81-75 Saturday afternoon.

The Illini (15-5, 5-4 in Big Ten) fell behind 39-20 in the second quarter thanks to an offense that, outside of Berry Wallace, was held without a field goal. Wallace went 5-of-6 in the period while the rest of the team missed all eight field goal attempts. Illinois outscored the Huskers by 10 points in the second half behind Parchment, who added 11 rebounds for her fifth career double-double.

Wallace finished with 22 points, her 12th 20-point game this season and the 7th in Big Ten play as Illinois played its third straight game without junior guard Gretchen Dolan. The team's second leading scorer missed her third straight game with a knee injury. It's unclear when she will return to the lineup.

Destiny Jackson and Maddie Webber scored 11 each for Illinois.

Britt Prince scored a team-high 20 points for Nebraska (15-5, 4-5 in Big Ten).

The Illini return to action Wednesday night when they host All-American center Lauren Betts and 3rd ranked UCLA (6pm CT, BTN Plus).

Podcasts

565 Illini Defeat Hoosiers 71-51 in Boswell’s Return

Listen

2.13.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Hauck new DC & Pete Babcock

Listen

564 Illini Lead Evaporates in 92-90 OT Loss to Wisconsin

Listen

563 Inside Scoop on New Illini DC Bobby Hauck

Listen

562 Illini Fall 85-82 to MSU in OT

Listen

2.6.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Ayo Traded & Football Coaching Openings

Listen

561 Illini Smash Northwestern Push Win Streak to 12

Listen

560 Illini Defensive Coordinator Search

Listen

559 - #9 Illini Cruise Over #5 Nebraska 78-69

Listen

1.30.26 - Keaton Wagler's Historic Season & More

Listen

558 Illini Win Lifts the Streak to 10

Listen

557 Sturdy & Stevens on the Keaton Wagler Game

Listen

556 Illini Defeat Purdue 88-82 in the Keaton Wagler Game

Listen

1.23.26 - Illinois vs Purdue - Top 15 Showdown

Listen

555 - CJ Moore Talks Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & Illini Tourney Expectations

Listen