March 7, 2008

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Illinois Postgame Quotes vs. Ohio State (PDF)

Illinois-Ohio State Postgame Notes (PDF)

INDIANAPOLIS - Illinois pulled off the biggest upset in Big Ten Tournament history Friday night with a 64-58 victory over top-seeded and 22nd-ranked Ohio State at Conseco Fieldhouse. The ninth-seeded Illini become the lowest seed to advance to the semifinals in tournament history. They will now face Michigan State in Saturday's second semifinal, which will begin at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.

Senior guard Rebecca Harris led the way for the Orange and Blue with a game-high 22 points, just one off her career-high of 23. Junior Lori Bjork added 14 points on four three-pointers, and hit two free throws to seal the victory with under 10 seconds to play. All-America candidate Jenna Smith had 13 points, six rebounds and four assists on the night while matched-up with Big Ten Player of the Year Jantel Lavender in the post. Lavender finished with 14 points.

The victory marks the first time the Illini (18-13) have reached the semifinals since 2001 and the first time Ohio State (22-8) has lost its opening game of the tournament. Prior to tonight, the Buckeyes were 13-0 in their opening round game at the Big Ten Tournament.

Ohio State took the momentum into halftime after Alison Jackson banked in a running three-pointer at the buzzer to give them a 28-27 lead. Officials reviewed the play on video and confirmed the basket was good. Each team led by as many as four in the first half, with Harris leading the way for the Illini with 10 points.

Illinois took control early in the second period thanks to stellar defense by sophomore Lacey Simpson, who had three steals in the first two minutes of the second half. A three-pointer by Harris gave the Illini a 30-28 lead at the 19:09 mark and they would not relinquish it the rest of the way. Another three by Harris extended the lead to 42-34 at the 14:24 mark, the largest lead of the game for either team at that point.

OSU pulled within three, 44-41, after a three by Marcilla Packer and a lay-up by Tamarah Riley, but the Illini responded with a 10-2 run to lead 54-43 at the 7:24 mark. Bjork started and ended the run with three-pointers and in between were jumpers by junior Chelsea Gordon and Smith.

However, the four-time reigning regular season Big Ten Champion Buckeyes would not go away. Packer scored 12 straight points for OSU to keep them close and the Buckeyes still had a chance to tie late, down three with the ball and 21.5 second on the clock. Buckeyes guard Ashlee Tribilcock misfired on a three to tie it, but Riley got fouled on the rebound and knocked down one of two to make the score 60-58 in favor of Illinois with 10 seconds left. But on the other end, Bjork calmly sank two free throws to seal the win for Illinois.

The Orange and Blue shot 50 percent in the second half and 46 percent for the game, while the Buckeyes were held to 35 percent shooting in the second half and 41 percent for the game. Illinois took 2-1 against Ohio State, as the teams split the regular season meetings against each other.

Illinois played only six players in the game and got big contributions from Gordon (seven points, six rebounds) and Simpson (six points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals). In addition, fifth-year senior Audrey Tabon played 17 minutes, spelling Simpson when she got into foul trouble, and had two points and four rebounds while helping Smith to contain Lavender.