March 14, 2002

Post-Game Audio:
ILLINOIS | Western Kentucky

Box Score

Champaign, Ill. -- - - Illinois sophomore forward Iveta Marcauskaite scored 22 points, leading five Illinois players in double figures, as the Illini to edged visiting Western Kentucky, 91-84, in the first round of the WNIT Thursday night. Illinois advances to the second round against Michigan State at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Champaign.

The seven-point Illinois lead was the biggest of the game for either team. Western Kentucky led 47-45 at the half. Illinois held a considerable advantage on the boards, out-rebouding the Lady Toppers, 42-29. Cindy Dallas had 16 points and nine rebounds. Dawn Vana (14 points), Aminata Yanni (13), and Tiffanie Guthrie (12) were also in double figures for Illinois.

Natalie Powers led Western Kentucky with 25 points, including 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. While Illinois controlled the inside game, Western Kentucky countered with a barrage of three-pointers. Western made nine treys in all, five by Kristina Covington, who finished with 15 points. Shala Reese scored 14 points followed by Leslie Logsdon, who tallied 13.

Illinois played 10 different players, eight of whom played at least 17 minutes. Western Kentucky starters played 168 of a total of 200 minutes. Still a scrappy Western Kentucky squad forced 25 Illini turnovers. Illinois takes a 15-13 record into Saturday's game with Michigan State. WKU finishes 16-14.

The game had 11 ties and 11 lead changes. Only three times during the game did either team lead by more than three points. As has been the case much of the season, Illinois got some terrific passes, particularly from the post players. The Illini had 27 assists, led by a career-high eight assists from Marcauskaite and five assists apiece from Yanni and Vana.

Western Kentucky scored the first basket of the second-half on a three-pointer from Covington. Illinois took the lead back at 53-52, but Covington again nailed a three to make it 58-55 Western. The game was tied at 61, 63 and 65 before Illinois took the lead for good on a baseline shot from Yanni. WKU missed some short shots in the lane and Illinois lurked ahead, 73-67 thanks to back-to-back baskets from Cindy Dallas.

Illinois again fell victim to turnovers and Western tied the game at 74-74 on a pair of free throws from Logsdon. Illinois went in front 85-80 then put the Lady Toppers away on a breakaway lay-up by Yanni, making it 90-84 with just 26 seconds left.