CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Rachel Theriot scored 27 points, including 10 straight as No. 19 Nebraska closed the game with a 15-4 run, to defeat Illinois 58-53 on Sunday.
The Illini (11-5, 2-2 Big Ten) were up 49-43 and looking for their second-straight win over a ranked team, when Theriot took over. She made two free throws at the 6:19 mark and when she hit a jumper with 3:06 left the Cornhuskers (12-3, 2-2) were up 53-51. Hailie Sample made a free throw, Emily Cady a jumper on a Sample assist and Brandi Jeffery made a free throw to put Nebraska up 57-51 with 14 seconds to go.
Between Amarah Coleman's basket at 5:31 and her bucket at seven seconds, the Illini missed eight shots and had a turnover.
Coleman, a freshman, matched her career high with 18 points.
