CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois women’s basketball team continued its strong start to the season Tuesday night, rolling past Bellarmine 90–41 at State Farm Center. The win keeps the Illini perfect at home at 6–0 and moves them to 7–1 overall.
Freshman standout Cearah Parchment led the way with a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Her efforts powered an Illinois team that hauled in 64 rebounds, tied for the eighth-most in any NCAA Division I game this season. The Illini converted 27 offensive boards into 28 second-chance points.
Illinois featured four players in double figures. Gretchen Dolan added 11 points with four assists and two steals, while Destiny Jackson finished with 10 points, seven assists, two steals, and a perfect 6-for-6 performance at the free-throw line — her fifth time this season.
The Illini opened the night on a 12-0 run, holding Bellarmine without a field goal for nearly six minutes. Illinois’ early dominance in the paint produced 18 first-quarter points inside and a commanding 32-11 lead after 10 minutes. A 15-0 second-quarter burst put the game fully out of reach as Illinois built a 55-23 halftime advantage — its highest-scoring half of the season.
Illinois’ defense smothered the Knights throughout, forcing 20 turnovers and turning them into 29 points on the other end. Parchment led the way with three steals.
The second half brought more highlights, including a career-high four points from Naomi Benson and the first points as an Illini for Gisela Segura, who completed a three-point play in the fourth quarter.
Illinois extended its lead to 78-28 by the end of the third quarter and cruised through the final frame to secure the 49-point victory.
