The Illinois women’s basketball team kicked off their season with a strong start, securing a decisive victory over Southeast Missouri with a score of 91-67.

Sophomore Berry Wallace shined by achieving a personal best, scoring 27 points and earning a double-double, propelling Illinois to their first win of the season.

“My teammates played a crucial role,” Wallace shared. “They set me up with great assists, which allowed me to find good scoring opportunities. Their support made it easier to convert those chances into points.”

Gretchen Dolan and Maddie Webber also contributed significantly, each scoring 16 points. Dolan added five rebounds and seven assists to her performance. Cearah Parchment, building on her strong showing in the Maryville exhibition, chipped in with eight points, while true freshman Destiny Jackson played a solid 33 minutes, scoring six points.

Illinois will next face Illinois State on Sunday, November 9, with the game scheduled to tip off at noon.