The women's Illinois basketball team is officially bringing Braggin' Rights back to Champaign after knocking off the Missouri Tigers by a score of 70-62.
It was a big-time win for Shauna Green's program, as the Illini have now stretched their winning streak to a season-high seven games. This is their largest streak since last season, when Illinois won eight straight between January 23 and February 16.
The Illini are on an absolute roll and are picking up steam as they move closer to the heart of their schedule. But what are some of the biggest takeaways from this game that we can consider to be noteworthy?
1. Turnovers proved to be the killer for the Missouri Tigers
The Tigers did give Illinois one hell of a fight, despite the fact that the navy and orange led from the opening tip to the final buzzer. They kept the game within reach throughout all 40 minutes, only allowing Illinois to lead by double digits for a total of one minute and 10 seconds.
They made it interesting, but it was the Tigers' turnovers that ended up doing them in in the end. Mizzou ended up turning the ball over 18 times against the Illini, leading to 18 points on the opposite side of the floor.
The now 9-3 Tigers have had trouble holding onto the ball this season, ranking No. 96 in the country with 15.1 turnovers per game. It has been sort of like their kryptonite in 2025, and Illinois' elite defense was able to lock in and take advantage of their miscues.
2. Destiny Jackson is the real deal in the backcourt
If you have not bought stock in freshman point guard Destiny Jackson, then you need to. The Chicago product was absolutely sensational in Columbia, Missouri, for Green's bunch. Her fingerprints were all over this game, using her elite quickness to help contribute at both ends of the floor.
Always looking to create for our teammates 🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/d4SLgMZzX7
— Illinois Women's Basketball (@IlliniWBB) December 11, 2025
The five-star recruit gave it her all against the Tigers, recording nine points, nine assists, five rebounds, and five steals through 39 minutes of play. The former Big Ten Freshman of the Week is continuing her rise to stardom with one of the best true point-guard performances that I've seen in quite some time.
3. Gretchen Dolan records second 20+ point game of her career
When junior guard Gretchen Dolan is on her game, you are not going to slow her down. After a season-ending injury shut her down during her sophomore season, Dolan has come storming back this season to the tune of 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
This great resurgence for Dolan led to her dominating performance in Missouri, where she led the team with 21 points on 46% shooting from the field and 50% from three-point range. This game marks Dolan's second 20+ point game of her collegiate career, with the last one coming against Florida State earlier this year.
Dolan is certainly finding her stride in her first full season as a starter and is showing that she has plenty of upside as she continues her junior year. As someone who averaged 38.4 points per game in high school, I just can't see Dolan moving anywhere but up this season.
4. Maddie Webber continues to excel off the bench
If anyone from the Big Ten is reading this, then you need to consider voting for Maddie Webber to be the Sixth Person of the Year. The former Villanova recruit who transferred to Illinois after last season has been absolutely sensational for the Illini this season, and last night was no different.
In just 22 minutes of play against Missouri, Webber was able to record the second-most points on the team (11), along with three rebounds and one steal. She even shot the lights out, sinking five of her 10 attempts from the field.
Maddie continues her success off the bench in 2025, as she is still averaging the fourth-most points on the team while coming off the bench. She has been a godsend from the transfer portal and has been the perfect spark for this team's electric offense.