CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball opened the Nancy Fahey era on Friday, defeating the Fort Wayne Mastodons, 64-50. The Illini were led by senior Alli Ball and sophomore Brandi Beasley who tallied 13 points each. Ball added seven rebounds and two blocks, while Beasley dished two assists. Junior Alex Wittinger also finished in double-digits with 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Illinois begins the 2017-18 campaign with a 1-0 record, and will open the road slate at Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday.
"It's a win, and that's what we came to do today," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "I really felt that Fort Wayne was a team that we knew about and we did a great job of scouting, but had a lot of new faces. Obviously, they shot the ball pretty well in that first quarter. But I was pleased with our team's bounce back: no panic and locked down on defense. I think our combinations and kids coming off the bench were a key factor today."
Junior Jaelyne Kirkpatrick kicked off the scoring for the Illini this season, netting her first three-pointer to put Illinois on the board. Back-to-back Illini buckets helped Illinois pull ahead to an early lead. The Mastodons, however, knocked down 5-of-8 from three-point range to take a one-point lead into the second quarter.
Fort Wayne continued to gain momentum to start the second period, but senior Alli Ball combined with sophomore Brandi Beasley for six-straight points to put the Orange and Blue back on top. Illinois outscored Fort Wayne 17-10 in the second quarter for a 33-27 advantage at the half.
Sophomore Ali Andrews came out hot after the break, scoring all seven of her points to open the quarter. Illinois outscored the Mastodons 16-8 after the half, with contributions from Wittinger and redshirt sophomore Cierra Rice as well.
The Orange and Blue maintained their lead through the final quarter, as Wittinger led the squad with six points and two steals in the period. Illinois shot 42-percent from the field on Friday, and scored 20 points off of Fort Wayne turnovers. The Illini grabbed 13 steals and saw scoring contributions from eight players on the day.
Illinois has a quick turnaround this weekend as the Orange and Blue will take on Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Meyers, Florida, Sunday at 5 p.m. CT. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
Team Notes
- The Fighting Illini are now 26-18 in season-opening games.
- UI is 34-10 in home openers (at Huff Hall, Assembly Hall, Parkland College and State Farm Center).
- Illinois improves to 6-0 all-time against Fort Wayne.
- Head Coach Nancy Fahey is now 28-4 all time in season-opening contests after a 27-4 record at Washington University.
- Fahey is the fifth coach to earn a win in her coaching debut with the Fighting Illini. Illini head coaches are 5-4 all-time in their coaching debuts in the Orange and Blue.
- Illinois starters: Brandi Beasley, Jaelyne Kirkpatrick, Kennedy Cattenhead, Alex Wittinger, Ali Andrews
Individual Notes
- Senior Alli Ball made her first appearance for the Orange and Blue in the first quarter. She finished with 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting.
- Sophomore Brandi Beasley scored 13 points, good for her 13th- straight game in double figures and the 24th in her career.
- Junior Alex Wittinger recorded her 39th career double-figure scoring game with 12 points.
