STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — The Illinois women’s basketball team used a strong second quarter to secure a 92-76 road victory over Penn State on Sunday at Bryce Jordan Center. The Fighting Illini, led by Berry Wallace’s 28 points and eight rebounds, outscored the Lady Lions 22-12 in the second period to build a double-digit lead they would not relinquish. Maddie Webber added 26 points for Illinois, which improved to 14-3 overall. Gracie Merkle scored 24 points for Penn State, which fell to 7-10. Kiyomi McMiller added 19 points and seven assists for the Lady Lions in front of a crowd of 1,945. Illinois shot consistently across all four quarters, while Penn State’s offensive struggles in the second proved decisive. Destiny Jackson facilitated the Illini offense with nine assists.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — Berry Wallace scored 28 points and Maddie Webber added 26 as the Illinois women’s basketball team used a dominant second quarter to pull away from Penn State for a 92-76 victory in a Big Ten Conference game Sunday at Bryce Jordan Center. The Fighting Illini (14-3, 3-2 Big Ten) outscored the Lady Lions 22-12 in the second period, turning a one-point lead into a double-digit halftime advantage they would not relinquish. Illinois methodically built its lead throughout the game, scoring 21, 22, 23, and 26 points across the four quarters, respectively. Wallace, a 6-foot-1 guard from Pickerington, Ohio, was the engine for Illinois, playing 40 minutes and adding eight rebounds and three assists to her game-high point total. Her performance was part of a highly efficient offensive display from the visitors, who shot well from the field, three-point range, and the free-throw line, though specific percentages were not immediately available. The most important stretch of the game came in the second quarter after Penn State’s Moriah Murray hit a three-pointer to cut the Illinois lead to 23-20. The Illini responded with a decisive 12-2 run. Wallace ignited the surge with a driving layup, and Webber capped it with a transition layup off a Gretchen Dolan assist, pushing the lead to 35-22. Illinois’ defense stifled Penn State during the run, forcing difficult shots and a key shot-clock violation. The Lady Lions managed just 12 points in the quarter, and Illinois took a 43-32 lead into halftime. Penn State (7-10, 1-5) showed fight in the third quarter, matching Illinois with 23 points, thanks largely to the interior presence of Gracie Merkle. The 6-foot-6 center from Mount Washington, Kentucky, scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds in just 20 minutes of action. Kiyomi McMiller facilitated the Lady Lion offense with 19 points and seven assists. Every time Penn State threatened to cut the deficit to single digits in the second half, Illinois had an answer. Early in the fourth quarter, with the lead at 60-51, Webber and Wallace connected on consecutive possessions. Webber drilled a three-pointer, and on the next trip, Wallace found Webber for a layup, forcing a Penn State timeout with the Illini ahead 65-51. Illinois’ offensive balance proved too much. Destiny Jackson orchestrated the attack with 15 points and nine assists. Cearah Parchment provided a strong inside presence with 11 points and seven rebounds. The Illini assisted on a majority of their field goals, showcasing crisp ball movement against the Penn State defense. The Lady Lions, who have lost five of their last six games, struggled to find consistent scoring outside of Merkle and McMiller. Tea Cleante and Nyla McFadden each added nine points, but the team’s shooting percentages from the floor and from three-point range lagged behind Illinois’. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Illinois, which had dropped close road contests at Michigan State and at home to Ohio State in its previous two outings. The Illini improved to 3-2 in conference play and will travel to face Michigan on Thursday. Penn State, which has lost three straight, will look to regroup quickly with a trip to No. 3 Ohio State on Wednesday. A crowd of 1,945 attended the game at the Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois entered the game as an 11.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and covered the spread. The total points scored, 168, went over the pregame over/under line of 154.5.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — A surging Illinois team looks to rebound from its first losing streak of the season when it visits a struggling Penn State squad in a Big Ten women’s basketball matchup Sunday at Bryce Jordan Center. The Fighting Illini (13-3, 2-2 Big Ten) opened conference play with two wins but have since dropped consecutive road games at Michigan State and a home contest to Ohio State. Despite the setbacks, Illinois remains one of the conference’s early surprises under coach Shauna Green. Penn State (7-9, 0-4), under first-year coach Alex Harris, seeks its first league victory amid a challenging stretch. The Lady Lions have lost five straight, including a 105-65 defeat to Michigan on Thursday and a narrow 74-73 loss at Wisconsin. Illinois will lean on guard Cearah Parchment, who is averaging 14.2 points per game in conference play. She scored 20 in the loss to Ohio State. Penn State’s offense runs through dynamic guard Kiyomi McMiller, who is averaging 21.5 points in Big Ten games, including a 36-point outburst at Wisconsin. The Illini’s strength has been a balanced attack and stout defense, holding opponents to 60.9 points per game. Penn State has struggled defensively, allowing 88.5 points per contest in conference play. Sunday’s game tips off a critical two-game road swing for Illinois, which visits Michigan next Thursday. Penn State continues a grueling schedule, facing Ohio State on the road Wednesday. The matchup pits Illinois’s quest to re-establish momentum against Penn State’s desperation to stop its skid. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.