March 16, 2002

Box Score

Champaign, Ill. - If the Big Ten is to keep up its string of WNIT titles, it will up to the 18-12 Michigan State Spartans. MSU used a huge rebounding edge and buried eight three-pointers in topping Illinois, 70-57 in round two of the WNIT Saturday afternoon in Champaign.

Michigan State out-rebounded Illinois, 50-34. Michigan State point guard Kristin Haynie had a double- double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards. Kelli Roerig led a balanced Michigan State attack with 14 points followed by Haynie (12), and guard Candice Jackson (11).

Iveta Marcauskaite led Illinois with 15 points and seven rebounds. Cindy Dallas had a fitting end to her season with her 11th double-double of the year - 12 points and 11 boards. Senior Dawn Vana, playing in her final game, also reached double figures with 10 points.

Illinois led most of the first half and was ahead by as many as six points at 16-10. Marcauskaite scored five points and assisted on another basket in the run. Michigan State rebounded to take a 32-28 lead at the half thanks to four three-pointers - two from Jackson, one by Haynie and one by Maria Recker.

The Spartans jumped fast out of the gates in the second half, out-scoring Illinois 15-4 in the first four minutes to take a 47-32 lead. Vnemina Reese canned two of MSU's three treys in the run.

To their credit, the Illini fought back. When Tiffanie Guthrie scored on a running lay-up, the lead was down to 53-48, but Michigan State out-scored Illinois 17-9 the rest of the way.

"This is not how we wanted it to end," said Illinois Head Coach Theresa Grentz afterwards, also noting that the tournament was a great learning experience for her young team.

Illinois ends the season at 15-14.