FORT MYERS, Fla. – Fighting Illini junior Alex Wittinger led Illinois at Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday, posting 20 points and nine rebounds. The Orange and Blue opened the road slate in Fort Myers, falling to FGCU, 85-61. The Illini move to 1-1 on the season, and will return to Champaign to host Chicago State on Wednesday, November 15.
"I think they {FGCU} came out and they established their defense right from the beginning," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "They were more physical, they tied us up offensively in that first half. We adjusted as the game went on, but that's something we have to react better to."
The Eagles put the pressure on Illinois right from the start, opening the contest on a 9-2 run. Juniors Jaelyne Kirkpatrick and Wittinger netted buckets for Illinois to cut into FGCU's lead early on, and sophomores Petra Holešínská and Brandi Beasley combined for eight consecutive Illini points to give the Orange and Blue their first lead of the game.
Holešínská stayed hot into the second quarter, hitting the first shot of the period for the Illini. FGCU continued to keep up the pressure in the second quarter though, outscoring UI 25-12. Illinois shot 50-percent from the field in the second quarter, as Wittinger added four more points of her own. The Orange and Blue trailed FGCU 42-25 heading into the halftime break.
It was Wittinger's turn in the third quarter as she hit her stride to score 10 of Illinois' 17 points in the period. Wittinger was 9-for-12 from the field heading into the final quarter, and surpassed the 20-point mark for the eighth time in her career. The Illini picked up momentum in the period, using a 9-0 run to cut into the Eagles' lead, but FGCU used a run of their own to end the third quarter.
Several Illini made their debuts for the Orange and Blue in the fourth quarter, freshmen Lyric Robins and Jnaya Walker saw playing time on Sunday, as did redshirt sophomore Cydnee Kinslow. Freshman Addaya Moore saw her first minutes during the third period. Walker and Robins closed the game with two points for Illinois.
Illinois shot 41-percent from the field at FGCU, grabbing 37 rebounds to the Eagles' 36. Beasley and Holešínská were important contributors on Sunday, closing the game with eight points each. Beasley also dished four assists and grabbed seven rebounds, while Holešínská added four rebounds and a steal.
Illinois will host Chicago State on Wednesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. Illini students in attendance will earn extra points by checking in on the Oskee Rewards app.
"I talked to the team after the game and we're just trying to get in fighting mentality. I think one thing they're looking at is how hard this team that we played tonight fought. There are a lot of one-day preps here so this young team is going to have to grow up fast, and they will."
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
