Nov. 2, 2004

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. - Senior forward Tiffanie Guthrie poured in 18 points, including four three-pointers, and pulled down seven rebounds to pace Illinois in the annual Orange and Blue Scrimmage at Assembly Hall Tuesday night. The Illini, facing their all-male scout team, fell 71-69, however, in a hotly contested game.

Sophomore Erin Wigley had a solid night with 14 points and eight boards, while junior Brittany Daugherty was also in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds. Junior point guard Maggie Acuna distributed the ball well, dishing out five assists on the night to lead the team.

The scout team, which included Head Coach Theresa Grentz's youngest son Kevin, led 40-33 at halftime and extended that lead to 44-33 in the opening minutes of the second half. The Illini would respond, however, with an 11-0 run sparked by treys from Janelle Hughes and Guthrie to even the score at 44-44 less than four minutes into the second stanza.

The game was nip-and-tuck the rest of the way, with each team holding the lead several times. The scout team carried a 70-67 lead into the final minute of play and Guthrie had two good looks to tie it up in the finals seconds, but neither shot went down. Sophomore Erin Wigley put back one of those misses with two seconds left, but the scout team added a free throw before the final horn to set the final score at 71-69.

The scrimmage served as a good tune-up for the exhibition season and gave the newcomers a chance to experience a game-like atmosphere at the Assembly Hall.

Following the game, the players and coaching staff treated the nearly 500 fans in attendance to an autograph session.

Injury Update
The Illini got a scare with 12:18 remaining in the game when senior co-captain Jeré Issenmann collided with one of the scout teamers, went down hard and hit her head, stopping play for several minutes as the medical staff attended to the injury. Issenmann was helped off the floor and taken to a local hospital for tests. The latest report is that she suffered a concussion and is expected to recover fully.

Up Next
The Illini will open their two-game exhibition season this Sunday when they host BK Poprad (Slovakia) at 2 p.m. at Assembly Hall. Illinois will also host the Ohio Girls Basketball Review in an exhibition on Nov. 15 before opening the season at home on Nov. 20 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.