Arkansas holds off Illinois 73-63 with big defensive effort

Ricky Council IV scored 18 points and Arkansas survived some anxious moments in the second half against an Illinois team that wouldn't go away, holding on to beat the Illini 73-63 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.

Mississippi State women win First Four game over Illinois

Jessika Carter had 22 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, Anastasia Hayes added 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Mississippi State beat Illinois 70-56 on Wednesday night to begin the NCAA Tournament in a First Four game.

Shannon’s surge rallies Illinois past No. 21 Northwestern

Terrence Shannon Jr. shook off a slow start in his return from a concussion, scoring 24 of his 26 points in the second half as Illinois rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to beat No. 21 Northwestern 66-62 on Thursday night.

No. 8 Maryland rallies in second half to beat Illinois 82-71

"The concern obviously, playing them, is their pressure," Illinois coach Shauna Green said. "We handled it fine until that third quarter, when we didn't handle it fine, and they made us pay by getting a ton of baskets off of our turnovers."

Ellis sparks Purdue to 62-52 win at No. 22 Illinois

Abby Ellis scored 16 points and Jeanae Terry grabbed 14 rebounds and Purdue built a 10-point first-half cushion and maintained it the rest of the way in posting a 62-52 upset of No. 22 Illinois in a Big Ten Conference battle on Thursday.