CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Omaha women's basketball team rallied in the fourth quarter but came up just short in a valiant effort at Illinois Sunday afternoon, falling 53-50 at State Farm Arena. The Mavericks are now 1-2 on the season, while the Illini improve to 2-1.
 
Leaders for Omaha
Claire Killian paced Omaha with 13 points and seven rebounds, hitting a pair of threes. Josie Filer joined her with another 10 points and six rebounds, and Ella Ogier added 10 points as well.
 
Sarah Schmitt dished out a game-high five assists and chipped in four points and five boards. Mariah Murdie added six points, three rebounds and two steals.
 
Leaders for Illinois
Jada Peebles led all scorers with 15 points on three 3-pointers alongside three steals. Kennedi Myles had a double-double on 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Eva Rubin added another 11 points.
 
Team Stats
Illinois shot just 29.0% (18-of-62) for the game but outrebounded Omaha 45-28. The Mavericks finished at a 34.0% clip (17-of-50).
 
Inside the First Quarter
Omaha came out firing to start the game, hitting 4-of-6 from the field. By the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks trailed by one, 12-11.
 
Inside the Second Quarter
Down by a bucket at the media timeout, Omaha clawed back to tie it at 22-22 on a Filer three. By the half, Illinois led 24-22.
 
Filer and Johnston had five points apiece at the halfway point.
 
Inside the Third Quarter
Challenged by a 0-of-6 stretch from the floor, the Mavericks finally stopped the drought with a Killian triple and trimmed the Illinois advantage to 29-28. But an 11-2 run by Peebles, Myles and Naya Ephraim pushed Illinois to a double-digit advantage and an eventual 43-33 lead by the end of the quarter.
 
Inside the Fourth Quarter
The Mavericks responded with a 10-2 spurt over a five-minute span in the fourth quarter, outscoring Illinois 17-10 in the period. Two Mariah Murdie free throws capped the run to pull Omaha within one at 49-48. Trailing by three, a Schmitt layup again cut it to 51-50 with 1:08 to go.
 
But a Maverick turnover with five seconds to play gave Illinois the last word. Peebles drew a foul and got to the line to hit two, sealing it at 53-50.