No. 23 Illinois women’s basketball just absolutely dismantled Illinois-Springfield, pulling off an 88-44 victory on Friday night at State Farm Center. This wasn’t just another preseason tune-up, it was a loud statement about the depth and firepower this squad is packing heading into the 2026-27 regular season, especially with four players hitting double figures.
The Bench Mob Went OFF and Coach Green Is Hyped
Things started a little tight, with Illinois holding just an 11-9 lead midway through the first quarter. But then head coach Shauna Green made a full five-player swap, bringing in the second unit, and that’s when the fireworks really started. This “bench mob” immediately sparked a massive 16-2 run to close out the quarter, rocketing Illinois to a dominant 27-11 lead. It wasn’t just a good quarter, it was a full-blown takeover, and Coach Green didn’t hold back after the game, stating, “I firmly believe our bench is an X-factor in our success this season. If we have the depth, we need to utilize it.” That’s a huge vote of confidence, and based on that performance, it’s totally earned. The Illini continued to pour it on in the second, outscoring UIS 29-11 to take a monstrous 54-22 lead into halftime. Gretchen Dolan, who eventually led the team with 14 points, dropped 12 of those in the first half, while the defense was absolutely suffocating, forcing turnovers left and right that turned into easy buckets.
Aaliyah Guyton Was PERFECT, But Wait Till You See Manuella Alves’ Comeback
While the defense and bench were electric, some individual performances were just insane. Aaliyah Guyton had one of those nights you just dream about, finishing 5-for-5 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Oh, and she also dished out seven assists without a single turnover in only 19 minutes. When asked how she balanced scoring and passing, Guyton kept it humble: “Just having a feel for the game, honestly. I really depend on my teammates so much, and I know I can count on them.” Maddie Webber, who also came off the bench, finished with 11 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes, showing how comfortable she is in that role, a role she embraced last season too. But maybe the biggest feel-good story was Manuella Alves, making her Illinois debut after missing last season with a torn ACL. She looked like she never missed a beat, adding 11 points, four rebounds, and four steals in 23 minutes. Talk about a comeback! The team overall was a beast on the boards, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds and outrebounding UIS 49-28. Plus, they racked up 14 steals, with Berry Wallace leading the charge with five.
Don’t Look Now, But There’s Still Work To Do Before Opening Night
Despite the emphatic 44-point victory, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Illinois struggled from deep, shooting a rough 3-for-19 from three-point range. They also coughed up the ball 19 times, something Coach Green highlighted as needing to be cleaned up. “Your offense, you’re going to have those nights,” Green said, “You got to hang your hat on your defense and your rebounding.” That mindset is key, and with most of last season’s roster back, relying on that depth will be huge as they gear up for a seriously competitive Big Ten schedule.
Up next, Illinois officially opens its regular season Wednesday, Nov. 4, against Detroit Mercy at State Farm Center. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, and you can catch it on B1G+. It’s time to see if this bench depth and defensive intensity can carry them into a strong start!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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