What happened
A game of runs kept Friday night's nonconference game at Gill Coliseum close. But Oregon State was efficient offensively. And Illinois was not. The Beavers handed the Illini their first loss of the early 2025-26 season, as Illinois lost 64-59 in Corvallis, Ore.
What it means
The first true test of this young team was one the Illini would like to have back. Berry Wallace (24 points) played well. But it was really a one-person show for the Illini. Tiara Bolden (25 points) was equally brilliant for Oregon State, which shot 52 percent as a team.
What's next
An early 11 a.m. tip on Tuesday, with Illinois (2-1) playing its Field Trip Day game at State Farm Center against Murray State (1-1). The Racers were picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley after reaching the NCAA tournament last March and finishing 25-8.
What was said
"Until we can find that defensive stopper and put some stretches together offensively ... we had 10 empty possessions in the second quarter. That is unacceptable. That is not going to win games. We have to be better in a lot of different ways." -- Illinois coach Shauna Green