INDIANAPOLIS — There will be no magical run to the Big Ten tournament title for the Illinois women’s basketball team. Purdue made sure of that Thursday afternoon.
The Boilermakers jumped to a 12-point lead in the first quarter on their way to a 72-58 second-round win at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Illinois, which opened the tournament with a win Wednesday against Nebraska, closes the season at 9-22.
“I felt like we didn’t get off to a great start, didn’t make shots in the first quarter,” Illinois coach Matt Bollant said. “And then we battled, battled and fought.