Feb. 11, 2001

Ann Arbor, Mich. -

Michigan used a big second half to help defeat Illinois, 74-60, in women's basketball Sunday in Ann Arbor.

The Wolverines were especially potent from behind the arc, making 3 of 4 three-pointers in the second half and six total for the game. Michigan got into the bonus with just over 12 minutes to play in the game and made 19 of 22 shots from the line (.864) in the second half and 22 of 26 foul shots for the game.

Allison Curtin led Illinois in scoring with 13 points to go along with a team-high nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Iveta Marcauskaite and Dawn Vana (7 rebounds) had 12 points apiece, while junior Holly Wilson notched a season-best 10 points, going 3 for 3 from the field and 4 for 5 from the line.

The first half was highly competitive. Illinois broke open a tight game by taking a 23-17 lead with 6:45 left in the first half. Curtin hit a three-pointer to break a 10-10 tie and converted a lay-up, while Vana scored six points in the mini-run. Michigan stormed back to take a 28-25 lead with 3:36 left in the half thanks to three-pointers from Heather

Oesterle, and Alayne Ingram, who notched two treys in the run. Vana put the Illini in front 31-30, but a pair for free throws from Michigan's Stephanie Gandy with one second left gave Michigan a 32-31 halftime lead.

The second half was all Michigan. The Wolverines scored 28 of the first 39 points in the second half to take a commanding 60-42 lead. The Illini had 20 turnovers to Michigan's 12 for the game. The Illini out-rebounded the Wolverines, 35-33 and have out-rebounded every opponent besides Purdue in the Big Ten this year.

Oesterle led Michigan (15-9 overall, 8-5 in the Big Ten) in scoring off the bench with 15 points and was one of five Wolverines in double figures.

Illinois (12-12, 7-5 in the Big Ten) travels to Penn State on Thursday.