CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — Illinois pulled away in the middle quarters to defeat Rutgers 76-56 in a Big Ten women’s basketball game Tuesday night at State Farm Center.

The Fighting Illini, improving to 18-8, outscored the Scarlet Knights 46-21 across the second and third periods after a tight first quarter. Rutgers fell to 9-16 despite a game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Cearah Parchment led Illinois with 20 points, and Berry Wallace added 21. Faith Blackstone scored 13 points for Rutgers. Attendance was 4,373.