Feb. 18, 2001

Box Score
Post-game audio with Coach Theresa Grentz and Allison Curtin

Champaign, Ill. - Allison Curtin wasn't about to let her team lose Sunday afternoon. With her Illinois team trailing 44-36 with 6:57 left in the game with Michigan State, Curtin led a rally to help the Illini prevail, 52-50, in front of 5,133 fans at Assembly Hall.

At 13-13 overall, Illinois maintains post-season hopes. At 8-6 in the Big Ten, the Illini now sit just 1/2 game back of Michigan (9-6) for fifth place in the Big Ten standings. Two Illinois wins this week and a Michigan loss Thursday at Penn State would give the Illini fifth and a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament which starts March 1 in Grand Rapids, Mich. The road won't be easy with a game at Indiana Thursday and a home date with Iowa on Fox SportsNet Chicago on Feb. 25.

Curtin's numbers firmly indicate the impact that she had on the outcome -- 25 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while making 4 of 8 three-point shots. She had 16 points in the second half.

After Anne O'Neil (10 points) scored to make it 44-38, Curtin hit a three-pointer, then on the next possession found Iveta Marcauskaite for lay-up. Less than a minute later another a Curtin trey from the wing and just like that the Illini were ahead, 46-44, with 4:31 left.

Michigan State, the top defensive team in the Big Ten, held the Illini scoreless for over two minutes, while Julie Pagel (18 points) connected on two field goals to put Michigan State back in front 48-46. Curtin was fouled and made two free throws to again tie the score with over a minute to play. Anne O'Neil hit four throws down the stretch after MSU came up empty on two straight possessions and Illini held on for the win.

The game was a struggle. Michigan State led twice by six points, at 9-3 and 23-17, but Illinois went on a 7-0 run to take a 24-23 lead with 3:03 to play in the half. Curtin scored five points and assisted on a Shavonna Hunter long two pointer and Karen Hagberg added four points in that stretch. Michigan State led 27-26 at halftime

Michigan State led for the first 15 minutes of the second half, building a 40-32 lead. Vnemina Reese (13 points) was especially potent for the Spartans in the second half, scoring on slashing moves and getting key rebounds. MSU dressed just eight players.

Michigan State (9-16, 3-11) was able to keep the contest a half-court game because their rebounding advantage (33-25) kept the Illini from running their fast breaks, according to Illinois Head Coach Theresa Grentz. The 18 field goals and 42 field-goal attempts were season lows for Illinois. The coach gave the team and especially Curtin a lot of credit for not giving up and fighting to the win.