Dec. 28, 2000

Box Score
Grentz and players--post-game audio

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois returned to Huff Hall Thursday night to host Michigan in the Big Ten Women's Basketball opener. The Illini built an eight-point first-half lead, only to see Michigan rally to defeat Illinois, 68-57, in front of 2,962 at the Huff.

Michigan held a considerable advantage in the free-throw department, making 28 of 37 compared to the Illini's 13 of 17 performance from the line. Only two players had fouled out the entire season to date. Three Illinois players reached five fouls on Thursday.

Despite the loss, there were some positives for Illinois. Aminata Yanni finished several fast breaks streaking past the defense and also hit some mid-range jumpers. In the end the freshman led the team with a career-high 14 points. Holly Wilson came off the bench to play some key minutes defensively and fed freshman Iveta Marcauskaite for two lay-ins early in the second half. Anne O'Neil continues to find ways to get to the line and convert. Against Michigan, O'Neil was 6 for 6 from the line and was the only other Illinois player in double figures with 10 points.

Illinois out-rebounded Michigan 29-28 despite a size disadvantage, but committed 25 turnovers, 18 in the second half as the Wolverines out-scored the Illini 24-6 the last nine minutes of the game. Michigan's Anne Thorius was especially potent down the stretch nailing free throws, making all 10 of her attempts for the game. Freshman center Jennifer Smith led Michigan with 18 points, including six from the line.

The Illini gave the Huff Hall crowd something to cheer about at times. The Illini broke open a close game with a 13-4 run, which including four points from forward Cindy Dallas and a three-point basket from Shavonna Hunter. That made the score 28-20 Illinois with 2:40 left in the half.

Michigan was 7 for 7 from the line the final two minutes of the first half to close to within 30-29 at the break. The Wolverines then stormed ahead 41-34 early in the second half, but the Illini went on a 17-3 run to take a 51-44 lead with just over nine minutes to play. Yanni had ten of her points during that stretch, and Allison Curtin put Illinois ahead with a three-pointer.

Michigan had just two team fouls to Illinois' nine at the time, however, and the Wolverines were able to pull away from the line. Raina Goodlow and LeAnne Bies each had 12 points for Michigan.