March 16, 2005

Box Score

Illinois' women's basketball team closed its season with 72-60 loss Wednesday to Indiana State in the opening round of the WNIT in Terre Haute, Ind. The Illini opened a 12-point lead in the first half and were tied at halftime, but the Sycamores rallied in the second half for the win. Illinois closed its season 17-13 while Indiana State moved to 23-8 on the year.

Tiffanie Guthrie and Angelina Williams each had 16 points for the Fighting Illini and Guthrie added 11 rebounds for her fourth consecutive double-double. Erin Wigley continued her strong late season play and added her sixth straight double-digit scoring performance with 15 points.

Illini senior Jere Issenmann, who along with Guthrie and Williams closed out her Illinois career, contributed eight points including two three pointers.

Williams scored 14 first half points as the Illini jumped out to an early 17-5 lead but Indiana State outscored the Fighting Illini 26-14 the final 13:55 of the half to knot the score at the break.

The momentum of the game changed when Williams picked up her fourth foul with 13:23 and the Illini down just three. With Williams out, the Sycamores pushed their lead to eight before Williams re-entered near the six-minute mark. From that point on, the closest the Orange and Blue would get was six-points.

The Fighting Illini pounded the Sycamores on the glass, outrebounding them 44-27, but the Illini committed 20 turnovers to Indiana State's nine and ISU connected on nine three-pointers.