Jan. 7, 2002

Box Score

Post-Game Comments:
Coach Theresa Grentz, Aminata Yanni and Shavonna Hunter - AUDIO

Champaign, Ill. - Little by little the Illinois women's basketball team is maturing. The Illini took another step in that process with an 81-75 victory over Penn State at Assembly Hall on Monday.

The Illini got out of the gates early jumping to a 40-23 lead with 29 seconds left in the first half. But Penn State, one of the pre-season conference favorites, responded in the second half closing to within 45-40 with 16:21 left in the game. For Illinois, a steady defensive effort and some nice transition baskets insured Penn State could get no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Illinois was effective for the most part in slowing the Big Ten's scoring leader, Kelly Mazzante of Penn State. The sophomore had just seven points until nailing a three-pointer just before halftime. She ended up with 30 points, but took a lot of shots, 32 field goals and 14 three-pointers to be exact, to get there.

After Mazzante, Penn State doesn't have another player averaging in double figures. Illinois on the other hand is led by a balanced attack. That really helped the Illini on this night. Five of the seven players who saw action scored in double figures.

Iveta Marcauskaite came off the bench to again lead Illinois in scoring with 18 points to go along with eight rebounds. Aminata Yanni scored a season-high 16 points, one off her career best in playing 30 minutes. Dawn Vana had 13 points and seven assists marking the fifth time this season that the senior has had at least that many assists.

Shavonna Hunter did it all with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Hunter is now five steals away from 200 for her career.

Illinois is now 5-0 vs. Penn State in Champaign under Head Coach Theresa Grentz. The Illini have now started at least 3-1 in the Big Ten for the sixth straight season. The difference in the game was field-goal shooting. Illinois shot a season-best .577 from the field compared to Penn State's .329. The Lions shot .289 from the field in the first half.

Illinois methodically built its lead from 13-11 to 20-12 to 26-16 to 30-19. The Illini then went on a 10-0 run to take a 40-23 lead, keeping Penn State scoreless for just over four minutes.

It didn't take long for the Lady Lions to get back in the game. Counting Mazzante's half-ending trey, Penn State went on a 17-5 run to close the gap to 45-40.

Illinois didn't panic and managed to hold the advantage the entire second half, all while continuing to play solid defense. Illinois' aggressive play on offense led to 33 free throw attempts (The Illini made 20) to Penn State's 16.

Illinois is next in action on Sunday afternoon at home vs. Michigan State. Tip-off is 2 p.m.