Preview

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — The Illinois women’s basketball team, riding high with one of its best starts in recent years, will look to continue its strong non-conference play when it hosts the struggling Bellarmine Knights on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at State Farm Center. The Fighting Illini (6-1) are coming off a dominant 100-28 victory over Le Moyne this past Sunday. Their lone loss was a narrow 64-59 defeat at Oregon State on Nov. 14. Illinois has otherwise been impressive, including an 86-63 road win at Florida State. Bellarmine (2-7) enters the contest seeking to halt a four-game losing streak. The Knights are reeling from a 100-37 loss at Louisville on Sunday, where Rachel Shropshire led the team with 10 points. Their offense has been inconsistent, failing to reach 50 points in four of their seven losses this season. The game marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs. For Bellarmine, it is the latest in a challenging stretch of road games against power-conference opponents, following lopsided losses to Louisville and Ohio State. Illinois will be heavily favored as it continues to build momentum before opening Big Ten Conference play at home against Indiana on Dec. 6. Bellarmine will continue its road trip at Chattanooga on Dec. 7.