EVANSTON — Similar late-game collapses were the problem for Illinois women's basketball in its losses to Missouri and Indiana.
On Monday, the Illini flipped the script. Just not the right way.
Rather than a quick-start offense that waned in the second half, Illinois emerged for its Big Ten road date at Northwestern with nearly no offense to speak of, managing just five points in the first quarter.
The Wildcats bounced out to a hefty 36-18 halftime lead before the Illini showed signs of life scoring, with junior guard Courtney Joens' 13 points in the second half leading the effort.