Illinois scores 16 in first half, blown out in Big Ten opener

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — On Sunday, State Farm Center hosted a clash between two two-loss Big Ten teams looking to start their respective conference campaigns on the right foot. Attendance was called at 3,763 just days after Illinois head coach Shauna Green called for more fans to show up.

In a battle between the Maize and Blue and the Orange and Blue, the Michigan Wolverines sprinted past the Fighting Illini for 40 minutes, leaving them in the dust 84-48.

Genesis Bryant, Illinois’ leading scorer this season, finished the game with 0 points, down from her average of 16.9. Makira Cook did just about everything she could to help bad turn to worse, but her 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting was not enough.

If the first half was Michigan out-playing Illinois, the second half was a reminder that college basketball doesn’t have a mercy rule. The third and fourth quarters were more of the same, if not better, for Michigan’s offense. Everything found the bottom of the basket.

Michigan…