Feb. 6, 2000
Box Score
Postgame Audio
Illinois Head Coach Theresa
Minnesota Head Coach Cheryl Littlejohn
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -
After a tough road loss at Michigan, Illinois got back to a rhythm Sunday vs. 11th-place Minnesota. The Illini built a 38-21 halftime lead and cruised to an 81-49 victory in front of 7,632 at Assembly Hall.
Allison Curtin scored 22 points and Tauja Catchings (17 points, 10 rebounds) posted her second straight double-double and 21st of her career in the victory. With two steals, Catchings now has 199 for her career, one away from becoming the first Illinois player with 1,400 points, 700 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals.
Illinois has shot free throws well lately. In the last two games, the Illini have made 39 of 44 (89 percent) from the line. Sunday the Illini made 21 of 25. Catchings and Curtin each were 5 for 5 from the stripe.
The Illini were able to run their transition, one of their bread and butter trademarks. Illinois forced 29 turnovers, turning many of them into points. Allison Curtin had five steals, giving her 68 for her career. With five regular season games plus the post-season left, Curtin needs 27 points to surpass Jill Estey's record of 95 steals for a single season. With 127 steals for her career she is more than halfway to the all-time record of 246 also held by Estey.
Illinois also got a good much needed boost from the outside with four three-pointers. Freshman Shavonna Hunter (11 points) had a career-high three treys. Susan Blauser continues to play great defense. She nearly had a double-double with 9 points and 10 rebounds. Blauser had three blocks as well giving her 14 blocks in her last six games.
Minnesota stayed in it for about 10 minutes, trailing 17-13 with 9:50 left. Then Hunter hit the first of her trio of trifectas to ignite a 21-5 run. That put the Illini comfortably in front 38-18 just before intermission.
With eight players seeing double digit minutes, the Illini were relaxed and full of energy in the second half. Illinois exploded for leads of 56-31 and 69-37. The Illini were consistent, making 14 of 28 from the field and 2 of 6 from three-point arc in each half. Curtin had an All-Big Ten like day. In addition to her 22 points, Curtin had four rebounds, six assists, three blocks and five steals.
Minnesota (8-14, 1-10), who shot just .258 from the field was led in scoring by Cassie VanderHeyden (16 points) and Erin Olson (10).
Illinois improves to 17-8 overall, 7-4 in the Big Ten, and 13-2 at home. The Illini host Northwestern at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Assembly Hall.
