With Memphis (2-1) down 60-58 at Illinois (3-0) and with 6.8 seconds left on the game clock, Asia Fuqua-Bey grabbed a rebound and outlet it to Breigha Wilder-Cochran. Wilder-Cochran split a trap and floated a pass to Ariel Hearn in the corner where she got off a contested three, but it bounced off the rim in a 60-58 Tiger loss on Thursday in Champaign, Ill.

The Tigers trailed at the half, 25-22, despite a quick start for the offense. The Illini took an early lead in the second period, 32-23, before Memphis cut the lead down to five at 32-27 with 15:06 left in regulation. Wilder-Cochran's steal and lay-up with just under nine minutes remaining gave the Tigers a 47-46 lead, but Ivory Crawford knocked down a 3-pointer for Illinois to push the host team back in front where they would stay for the bulk of the waning minutes of the half.

Mooriah Rowser led Memphis with 18 points, adding five rebounds, while Hearn finished with 13 points.

The Tigers return home on Sunday to face RV/NR Minnesota at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.