March 2, 2001

Box Score

Illini Wrap, video version
Illini Wrap, audio version

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - If Illinois needs a motto for their run through the end of 2001 season, it might be "Find a way to win." For the fourth time in the last five games, the Illini have done just that. But Friday's game had much bigger implications. The 80-68 win over Wisconsin sent Illinois into the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. That marked the fourth time in the last five years that the Illini have advanced to the conference's Final Four. Two more wins and an even bigger prize - a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois got 20 points, six rebounds, five steals and six assists from junior First Team All-Big Ten selection Allison Curtin. That marked the sixth straight Big Ten Tournament game with 20 or more points for Curtin. Her five steals leave her just one steal off the Illinois season steals record of 95 and just two steals shy of 246 picks for her career, which is the all-time Illini record.

The big news was the play of Cindy Dallas. After a timeout in which Theresa Grentz challenged her junior to step up her game, Dallas responded with the game of her career - 16 points and six rebounds.

After Illinois led 35-27 at halftime, Wisconsin exploded with 16 points in less than four minutes to take a 43-41 lead. That's when Dallas and the rest of her teammates refused to lose. Dallas scored seven points in just over a minute, while the Badgers managed just two points and Illinois went back in front, this time for good at 51-46.

Illinois' aggressiveness offensively led to Wisconsin foul trouble. The Illini took advantage by making 18 of 22 (.818) free throws in the second half and 27 of 32 (.844) for the game. Anne O'Neil led the way in that department by canning 10 of 12 foul shots for the game en route to 18 points, just two shy of her personal best.

Illinois' defense was crucial to building the eight-point halftime cushion. The Illini forced 16 turnovers in the first and held Wisconsin to just .357 shooting from the field. Wisconsin was also held without a three-pointer in the opening 20 minutes.

The Badgers changed that with an all out assault. LaTonya Sims hit a trey from the corner. Nina Smith had a pair of putbacks. The Illini had five turnovers in that four-minute stretch.

But while Wisconsin won the battle, the Illini led by their commander, Theresa Grentz, was determined to win the war. Wisconsin scored just 13 points in the next 11 minutes as Illinois was able to right the ship.

The next challenge for Illinois comes Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Illinois had an eight-point lead at halftime on Sunday against the Iowa, only to see the visiting Hawkeyes mount a second-half comeback and win 75-64. Tip-off is approximately 5:30 p.m. CST.