Nov. 11, 2002

Final Stats

Champaign, Ill. - Cindy Dallas scored 33 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in Illinois' 82-74 come-from-behind win over the Dominican Republic Monday in an exhibition game at the Assembly Hall.

Aminata Yanni added 21 points, including 12 points in the second half, to help lead the Illini to the victory despite a 37-30 halftime deficit. Thanks in large part to Dallas and senior Karen Hagberg, who tallied nine boards; Illinois posted a considerable 52-39 advantage in rebounding.

Illinois came out after halftime with a spark and quickly turned a seven-point deficit into a 44-43 lead seven minutes into the second half. Jer? Issenmann (nine points) had two three-pointers in the rally. The second half had five ties and nine lead changes. With the game tied at 69-69, Illinois took the lead for good, scoring five unanswered points to make it 74-69 with just under two minutes to play. Brett Leonard scored off a fast break, then Issenmann fed Dallas on the next possession for an easy two points.

The Dominicans cut the margin to one point, but Brett Leonard, playing in her first game as an Illini, hit a huge three-point shot with 39 seconds to play. Aminata Yanni finished on the fast break after a Dominican Republic miss to seal the win.

Illinois had 21 assists in its 29 field goals led by Hagberg and Leonard, who tallied five assists each. Illinois' aggressive defense forced 21 turnovers, four on steals from Dallas. The Illini also showed an outside dimension with eight three-pointers, three apiece from Yanni and Issenmann.

Illinois wraps up its exhibition schedule Sunday against the Reebok All-Stars. Tip-off is 2 p.m. at the Assembly Hall.