CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois-Missouri rivalry in women's basketball isn't nearly on the same scale as the intensity between, say, the men's basketball teams.

But it's growing. And both the Illini and Tigers would like to cultivate it.

The Illini earned their eighth straight win in the series with Wednesday's 65-55 victory. It capped a home-and-home two-game set that began last year.

CHAMPAIGN – When Lori Bjork left the program last spring, it appeared the Illinois women's basketball team would be without a perimeter sharpshooter.

Welcome to the program, Macie Blinn.

The freshman guard from Greenville, Ohio, gave the Illini a boost Wednesday night, scoring 14 points to lead Illinois to a 65-55 victory against Missouri at the Assembly Hall.

Final: Illinois 65, Missouri 55

As it turns out, Illinois isn't just the Jenna and Lacey Show.

VINCENNES, Ind. – Hope Elam grew up watching Big Ten basketball before she graduated from Champaign Central High School in 2007.

She's going to finish her collegiate career playing in the Big Ten Conference.

The 6-foot-1 power forward signed a national letter of intent Sunday night with Indiana University.

News you can't leave work without:

Nation's best girls' basketball teams are coming to Champaign

News-Gazette staff writer Tony Bleill takes a look at Illinois' game against Missouri:

How News-Gazette staff writer Tony Bleill voted in this week's Associated Press Women's Top 25 basketball poll

Final: Illinois 49, Eastern Illinois 45

Two games, two halves, two different teams. For the Illinois women, it could be that kind of season.