Dec. 4, 2003

Final Stats

Chicago, Ill. - The Illini women's basketball again proved they can play with some of the best teams the nation has to offer, with near upsets of #11 Louisiana Tech and #16 UCSB. That held true again Thursday as Illinois fought hard, put five players in double figures, and shot 53 percent from the field. The end result, however, was an 89-81 defeat to the hands off a quality 4-0 DePaul team. The Demons were fifth on the teams also receiving votes in the Top 25 this week.

Angelina Williams came within two points of her career high by pouring in 22. Cindy Dallas had some big baskets down low and got to the line 10 times en route to a season-best 19. Tiffanie Guthrie was relentless in scoring 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Freshman Erin Wigley had her biggest game as an Illini with a career best 14 points, her second double-digit scoring game of the year, to go along with six rebounds.

In the end, the Illini dug themselves in too big of a hole. Illinois committed 15 turnovers in the first half and DePaul made six first-half three-pointers in building a 54-45 lead at intermission. The lead reached 13 at 58-45 before the Illini caught fire.

Aminata Yanni, who had 13 points herself, hit a three from on the right corner, then one from the left corner and still another from out front to make it 65-61 with 13 minutes to play. DePaul's commitment to taking a lot of three-point shots paid off in the first half, but Illinois players got a hand in the faces of the Blue Demons more in the second half, and the Demons made just 1 of 11 from downtown after halftime.

Illinois led just once at 2-0 but never was out of it until the end. Even after DePaul increased its lead back to ten at 76-66, the Illini came roaring back. A fast break lay-up by Angelina Williams made it 78-74 with 5:14 to play.

Illinois played good defense for the majority of the possession, only to see DePaul somehow get the ball to post player Khara Smith, for some key buckets down the stretch. Smith led DePaul with 24 points followed by quick guards Jenni Dant (21 points) and Charlene Smith (19 points).

Illinois (1-4) stays in Chicago to meet Illinois State at the United Center at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.