ALBUQUERQUE – Fighting Illini women's basketball closed play at the UNM Thanksgiving Tournament on Sunday, falling to New Mexico, 97-68. The Illini were led by sophomore Brandi Beasley, who tallied 15 points. Beasley earned All-Tournament Team honors for her performance over the weekend. Sophomore Alex Wittinger contributed eight points and eight boards in Sunday's matchup, and senior Alli Ball added eight points and five rebounds as well. The Illini move to 5-3 on the season.
"I thought our first 20 minutes was pretty good basketball," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "I thought the kids implemented our game plan pretty well, but even when we were down heading into the fourth quarter, I said, 'keep your fight'."
Beasley put the Illini on the board first on Sunday afternoon, helping the Orange and Blue pull ahead to an early lead. The Illini outscored UNM 19-13 in the first quarter, led by senior Alli Ball who knocked down two three-pointers in the period.
"The kids did their homework, and I think what we adjusted to, we did well," Fahey said of the first quarter. "We spread them out a little bit and played some pretty solid defense. I really thought they carried through to halftime and we were within reach. We let it get away from us as the game progressed."
The Orange and Blue continued to battle in the second quarter as New Mexico picked up momentum from beyond the arc. The Lobos shot 60-percent from distance, making six three-pointers in the second quarter to cut into the Illini lead and take a 34-29 advantage at the half. Illinois outrebounded New Mexico 25-20 in the first half, and held UNM's leading scorers, Cherise Beynon (17.2 ppg) and Jaisa Nunn (16.8 ppg) to a combined three points before the break.
New Mexico continued to pressure the Illini in the third quarter, going on an 11-0 run to start the second half and extend their lead. The Illini fought back, however, as Beasley posted nine points in the third frame for the Illini. She combined with sophomore Courtney Joens, who added five points in the period, for 70-percent of Illinois scoring in the third frame. Beasley led the Illini with 15 points before the fourth quarter, earning her sixth double-figure scoring game this season.
Three Illini freshmen stepped in for the Orange and Blue in the fourth quarter, as Addaya Moore, Jnaya Walker and Lyric Robins combined for 12 points in the final frame. Moore closed the game with a career-best seven points. UNM continued to extend its lead over the Illini in the fourth quarter, making seven three-pointers to end the contest.
The Illini will return to Champaign to host Virginia Tech in the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge on November 30. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside the State Farm Center, and the game will mark Illinois' first Three-Point Thursday, where fans in attendance will receive free foam fingers.
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
