Feb. 7, 2002
Box Score
Post-game audio:
UI Head Coach Theresa Grentz, Cindy Dallas and Tiffanie Guthrie - AUDIO
Purdue Head Coach Cristy Curry - AUDIO
Illinois Head Coach Theresa Grentz told the media that she was proud of the way her young team battled and never gave up following a hard-fought 80-69 loss to the hands of No. 7 Purdue.
Trailing 69-57 with just over five minutes remaining, Illinois put forth a valiant effort. The Illini scored ten straight points in just 100 seconds to close to within 69-67 with 3:39 to play. Tiffanie Guthrie put in a rebound basket, was fouled and hit her free throw to bring the crowd of 4,058 to its feet.
Illinois (13-8, 6-5) once again got great play offensively from its post duo of Iveta Marcauskaite (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Cindy Dallas (18 points, 12 rebounds), who each collected double doubles. Dawn Vana and Guthrie tossed in 10 points apiece.
Illinois out-rebounded Purdue 39-37 and the two teams traded unforced errors finishing with 20 turnovers apiece. One of the differences in the game was free throw shooting, where Purdue out-scored Illinois 24-17 from the line. Boiler sophomore Shereka Wright was 12 of 16 from the line and totaled a game-high 26 points. Mary Jo Noon scored 13 of her 19 points in the first half.
Illinois played well in the early stage, vaulting to a quick 10-2 lead. Dallas had six points in the first four minutes. Purdue (19-3, 10-2) tied the scored at 15-15, took its first lead of 17-15 seconds later and never trailed the rest of the contest. The Boilermakers would extend their lead to eight or ten points, only to have Illinois spring back to within four or five points. A three-pointer from Marcauskaite, one of two treys in the game for the sophomore, cut the margin to 35-30. The deficit for Illinois was 37-32 at intermission.
The Illini got as close at 37-36 early in the second half, but Purdue built the lead back to 50-41. Purdue hurt Illinois from long-range in the second half. The Boilers were 0 of 9 from three in the first half, but 4 of 6 in the second. Kelly Komara had all four triples and most came in big spots.
Illinois travels to East Lansing to meet Michigan State Saturday night at 6 p.m. CST
