CHAMPAIGN — Closer.
A shot to tie the game in the final two minutes.
A five-minute scoreless stretch to start the second half, that turned a three-point deficit to seven. Missed opportunities.
Losing the rebound battle by 13.
It added up to another Big Ten loss for Illinois. Nebraska beat the Illini 80-72 at State Farm Center on Wednesday night.
"A tough one," Illinois coach Nancy Fahey said. "Our kids played their hearts out. We're searching for a win.
"We're not in this to be close."
The loss drops Illinois to 0-5 in the Big Ten and 9-10 overall.