Dec. 20, 1999

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Freshman Kristi Faulkner came into Saturday's game with Kansas averaging 3.9 points and 11.6 minutes per game. On a team with four seniors, Faulkner was an unlikely hero.

But when the game was on the line, Faulkner came through in leading the 19th-ranked Illini to a 61-59 win #20 Kansas. For her efforts, the freshman earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors.

Faulkner is the second Illini to earn the honor. Sophomore Allison Curtin earned the distinction after averaging 22 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.0 steals per game in wins over Boston College, Duquesne and Notre Dame.

With 4:25 remaining in the game, Illinois trailed the Jayhawks, 55-50, but thanks to Faulkner, Illinois went on a 9-0 run. Faulkner hit a driving lay-up then nailed a 22-foot jumper with 3:38 left to tie the game at 55-55.

Although Illinois took a four-point lead with under two minutes to play, the Jayhawks responded by scoring the next two baskets to tie the score. On the final possession, Head Coach Theresa Grentz called a time-out to set up the game winner. Faulkner came through with a running jumper from nine feet with just 2.7 seconds remaining on the clock.

Faulkner had a career day -- 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting, including 3 of 6 from three-point range. The native of Glen Ellyn added two assists and three rebounds in a season-high 24 minutes of action.

Faulkner improved her season average to 5.3 points per game. She is shooting .477 (21 of 44) from the field and .400 (10 of 25) from three-point range.