by CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Aaliyah Nye (Gun Lake/Potawatomii) poured in a career-high 25 points and Kendall Bostic tallied her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 16 rebounds, but a slow start to the third quarter, spurred on by No. 18 Ohio State’s potent offense and full-court press erased a strong first-half effort by the Illini in an 86-67 loss on Monday night at State Farm Center.
Nye was key to the fast start by the Illini as the sophomore guard scored the first 11 points of the game. The teams played to a tie through the first six minutes of action, but the Buckeyes’ offense, the No. 4 scoring unit in the NCAA, quickly found another gear with an 11-0 run that helped them stake to a 27-15 edge after the first quarter. The teams traded baskets throughout the second period and Illinois went into the locker room trailing, 42-30.
Coming out of the break, Ohio State’s defensive pressure stifled the Illini. The Buckeyes opened the half with 21 consecutive points, and pushed the lead to 32 entering the fourth. The Illini continued to battle to the end, however, outscoring OSU 24-11 in the final frame, including three fourth-quarter triples from Nye, who sunk five from distance en route to her career night
In addition to Nye and Bostic, freshman guard Adalia McKenzie chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds.
