WKU Women’s Basketball could not overcome a pair of late double-digit scoring runs from Illinois, falling 70-41 on the road for its third straight loss.

The Lady Toppers trailed just 27-23 at halftime, but the Fighting Illini started pulling away in the third quarter. A 12-0 Illinois scoring run started at the end of the third and spanned through the start of the fourth. WKU tried to answer, but Illinois’ 17-2 run concluded the game.

The Lady Toppers gave the Fighting Illini a run for their money early on. In the first half, both teams shot 39% from the floor and scored 10 points off of turnovers.

Illinois improved to 46% field-goal shooting in the second half ahead of WKU’s 32%. The Fighting Illini forced 15 Lady Topper turnovers through the last two periods, which they converted into 15 points. WKU did not manage a three-pointer in the second half.

Sophomore guard Salma Khedr fell to injury during WKU’s loss to Vanderbilt, handing senior forward Mya Pratcher her second start of the season. Pratcher scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds.

Sophomore forward Torri James and graduate forward Caleigh-Rose West led an otherwise quiet Lady Topper offense. The duo combined for 22 points and eight boards.

The Lady Toppers stay on the road to face Southern Illinois Sunday, Nov. 30.