Dec. 28, 2003

Box Score

Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to defeat Illinois, 70-53, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday night.

The Illini led 32-28 at the half, but were out-scored 42-21 in the second half as the #15 ranked Sooners won their ninth game of the young season. Angelina Williams led Illinois (5-5) with 19 points and five assists. Aminata Yanni was the only other Illini to score in double-figures scoring 14 points.

The teams exchanged leads throughout most of the first half, as Illinois jumped out to an early 7-2 lead only to let it slip away moments later as the Sooners grabbed a 11-9 lead midway through the first half. The Illini regained the lead 27-26 with a 1:20 left in the half as they took a 32-28 advantage at the half. In the second half, Oklahoma (9-1) retook the lead three minutes into the second half 35-34 and continued to stretch it out with precision three-point shooting.

The Illini struggled all day from behind the arc going 3-16, while Oklahoma shot 6-18 for the game, but nailed 5-7 in the second half. Guard Laura Andrews hit all three of her three-point shots in the second half as the Sooners shot 51.9 percent (14-27) from the field in the second frame. The Sooners shot 43.5 percent for the entire game while Illinois shot 40.4 percent. Illinois shot just 27.6 percent in the second half (8 of 29). Canton paced Oklahoma with 15 points. Point guard Dionnah Jackson had 8 points and 8 assists.

Illinois was out-rebounded by the Sooners, 33-39, in the game. Erin Wigley led the Illini grabbing a game-high nine rebounds.

The Illini continue their road trip with the Big Ten opener at Iowa on Friday night at 7 p.m. CST.