Yet it should have been encouraging in equal measure that Illinois was able to withstand a bullish run from Washington (10-5, 1-3) and deliver in other areas to avoid a letdown after its upset of Oregon in Eugene days before.

Kasparas Jakucionis made a tiebreaking layup with 32 seconds left, and No. 22 Illinois survived a furious comeback bid by Washington to squeak out an 81-77 victory Sunday at Alaska Airlines arena.

Illinois guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger (8) and Washington's guard Elle Ladine (24) in a NCAA basketball game at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Sports Copy Editor Illinois guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger (8) and Washington's guard Elle Ladine (24) in a NCAA basketball game at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Tuesday,

Illinois (11-3, 3-1 Big Ten) managed to hold off Washington (10-5, 1-3) by a score of 81-77 on Sunday in Seattle, but it only just survived a fierce comeback as the surging Huskies simply ran out of clock to work with.

The Illini got another blowout win on Wednesday.