Dec. 5, 2000

Box Score | Post Game Audio |
Video: Coach Grentz's Presentation

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois women's basketball team continued to go through some growing pains Tuesday night. After three games on the road the Illini played their first home game since Nov. 18. The visiting 25th ranked Texas Longhorns spoiled the homecoming with a 70-54 triumph in Champaign.

Illinois jumped out to an early 11-6 lead thanks to the inside play of 6-4 freshman Iveta Marcauskaite. The Lithuanian native scored seven of the Illini's first 11 points and took advantage of her size inside. Texas scored the next nine points, however, which ultimately resulted in a 22-4 Texas run. The Longhorns led 28-15 at that point and never looked back. Lindsey Ryan hit three three-pointers in that stretch as Texas extended the lead. Texas led 34-21 at the half.

The lead reached as many as 21 at 50-29 before Illinois made a run. The Illini scored the next eight points on a pair of baskets apiece from Dawn Vana and Cindy Dallas. An outside jumper from Anne O'Neil made it 51-39 with 9:34 to play. That was as close as Illinois would get.

The offensive play inside was a bright spot for Illinois with Dallas and Marcauskaite each having career days. Marcauskaite had a career-high 16 points, while Dallas nearly had her second double-double of the season with a career-best 15 points to go along with nine rebounds. Texas (8-1) out-rebounded Illinois 44-34.

After a 2-0 start, Illinois falls to 2-4. The Illini will try to get back on the winning track with a game at Illinois State on Thursday. Tip-Off at Redbird Arena is 7 p.m.