LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Tear’a Laudermill scored 16 points and Natalie Romeo hit a late 3-pointer to help No. 15 Nebraska women hold off Illinois for a 59-57 win on Thursday night.

Hailie Sample made a layup with 1:57 left, giving Nebraska (16-4, 6-3, Big 10) its first lead of the game, 57-56. After Illinois’ Chatrice White was called for an offensive foul, Sample found Romeo for the eventual winning 3.

Illinois missed two potential tying shots in the final 37 seconds.

The Illini (11-10, 2-7) led by as many as 11 in the first half and 51-42 with 9:40 left.

Emily Cady scored four and Laudermill added five during a 9-0 run which tied it fewer than two minutes later.

Kyley Simmons’ layup with 7:25 left gave the Illini a 53-51 lead, but they would miss seven of their last eight shots.

White tied a career-high with 23 points for Illinois.