Dec. 11, 2004

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - Illinois used an 11-0 run over 3:50 of the first half to take a 23-9 lead and cruised through the second half of a 74-31 victory over Pacific at the United Center Saturday. The win improves Illinois' all-time record in the United Center to 3-2.

Tiffanie Guthrie led the Illini with 20 points, pushing her over the 1,000-point mark for her career. Guthrie was 8-for-11 from the field with three assists and three rebounds.

Janelle Hughes sparked Illinois (5-2) off the bench with 14 points, a career-high five assists and a career-best tying four steals. Hughes was 6-for-8 from the field and 2-for-2 from behind the arc.

Illinois held the Tigers (2-3) to only 13 points in the second half, and Pacific's 31 points is the lowest total by the opponent of a Big Ten team so far this season.

The Illini thoroughly dominated Pacific in the paint, outscoring the Tigers 40-18. The Illini also forced Pacific into 24 turnovers, turning them into 29 points.

Pacific's one three-pointer was the fourth time this season Illinois has held an opponent to one or fewer three-pointers. Today was the first time Illinois had held an opponent without a double-digit scorer since Nov. 23, 2001.

Leading 38-18 at halftime, Illinois started the second half with a 25-2 run to put the game out of reach. Danyel Crutcher scored eight of her 12 points in the second half and collected six boards on the afternoon.

Angelina Williams dropped in 13 points on 6-for-13 shooting, and Maggie Acuna dished out a career-high seven assists. Stephanie Chelleen grabbed a career-high six rebounds for the Illini.