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Three Key Observations From Illinois WBB's 70-41 Win Over Western Kentucky

The Illini pulled away after a tight first quarter, using defense, depth and free throws to move to 6-1 on the young season
Pranav Hegde|
Feb 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Feb 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Illini women's basketball team (5-1) continued its hot start to the season with a 70-41 win over Western Kentucky. It was a competitive game – for a quarter – before Illinois flashed its skill and overall talent to pull away. It wasn’t the smoothest offensive night, but Illinois leaned on its defense, depth and physicality to take full control over the final three quarters.

Here are three takeaways from the win:

Illinois’ defense took over

Western Kentucky hung around early, trailing just 12-10 after the first 10 minutes. From that point forward, Illinois’ defense became the story. The Illini forced 25 turnovers – and those giveaways completely disrupted the Lady Toppers' ability to generate consistent offense. Illinois’ length and pressure on the perimeter made ball movement difficult, and Western Kentucky ended the night shooting just 16-for-45 (35.5 percent) from the field.

The Illini also held WKU to only 18 points after halftime, showing how much more locked in they became as the game progressed. For a team that often sets the tone defensively, this was a strong showing in terms of activity, communication and effort – especially over the final three quarters.

Maddie Webber delivered a major boost off the bench

Junior guard Maddie Webber was Illinois’ most efficient scorer on the night, finishing with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting and hitting four threes. Her performance gave Illinois needed spacing and scoring balance at a time when some of the usual offensive contributors weren’t in rhythm.

Webber’s bench production was especially important in a game in which Illinois shot only 7-for-23 (30.4 percent) from deep. Whenever the offense stalled, Webber's shot-making helped extend runs and create separation on the scoreboard. It was the kind of spark-plug game that can pay dividends as the season continues and rotations settle in.

The Illini dominated at the line

Even without a lights-out shooting night, Illinois generated reliable offense by consistently getting to the free-throw line. The Illini attempted 20 free throws and made 17 of them (85.0 percent), while Western Kentucky attempted went 7-for-11 (63.6 percent). That margin – both in attempts and makes – was one of the clearest statistical separators. between the teams.

The ability to draw fouls helped offset cold stretches from the field and allowed Illinois to maintain control of the game. Multiple Illini players contributed at the line, playing with aggression on offense and cashing in at the charity stripe. In a game in which the offense wasn’t always smooth, winning the free-throw battle was one of the biggest reasons Illinois steadily widened the gap after the first quarter.

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Pranav Hegde
PRANAV HEGDE

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

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