Feb. 24, 2003

Final Stats

East Lansing, Mich. - The Fighting Illini picked up a crucial Big Ten Road victory on Monday night by topping Michigan State 75-65 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. The win was big not only because it inched Illinois (16-9, 8-6) one step closer to its first NCAA tournament bid in three years, but it also moved the Orange and Blue into a tie with the Spartans (15-10, 8-6)for fifth place in the Big Ten with just two games remaining. The two teams stand 1/2 game back of fourth place Ohio State (18-8, 9-6). The top five teams receive a bye in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

"This was truly a team win," said head coach Theresa Grentz. "You can't underestimate the importance of winning on the road in this league. Michigan State has done a great job this year of protecting the home court so to win here was big for us."

Freshman Janelle Hughes was an unlikely hero for the Illini. Making just her second career start, Hughes busted out for a career high 17 points, 13 of which came in the second half as Illinois took control of the game. Aminata Yanni also chipped in 17 points, and hit 3-8 from 3-point land to move into a tie for sixth place on the single season 3-pointers made list with 46. Angelina Williams (14 points) and Cindy Dallas (12 points) were also in double figures for the Illini. Dallas pulled down a team high 8 rebounds, while Williams dished six assists to lead the Illini.

The game went back and fourth in the first half, with neither team able to gain more than a five point advantage. Michigan State appeared to be taking control when they opened up a 25-20 lead with 8:26 to go, but Illinois stormed back with a 13-4 run, capped by a Williams 3-pointer to open up its biggest lead of the first half, 33-29, with 3:11 to go. The two teams traded buckets in the final minutes and Illini went into the break with a 37-34 advantage.

In the second half, the Illini established control early by scoring the first six points of the half to extend their lead to nine. The Spartans would chip away at the Illinois lead and eventually knotted the game at 51-51 with 6:50 to play after a Syreeta Bromfield lay-up. However, the Orange and Blue would bounce back with a 10-2 run to push the lead to 61-53 after a Cindy Dallas bucket and would never look back, making 9-10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

"It's very satisfying to present challenges to your players, have them accept those challenges and succeed," said Grentz. "It's February, they're having fun and winning at the same time, that is very gratifying as a teacher."

The Illini shot a sparkling 51.0% (26-51) for the game, and torched the Spartan defense to the tune of 57.1% (12-21) in the second half. Illinois hit 50.0% (8-16) from behind the arc to extend its school record for three-pointers in a season to 151. The Orange and Blue out-boarded Michigan State, the top rebounding team in the league, 35-28.

Kristin Haynie led five Spartans in double figures with 13 points and also added a team high seven rebounds.

The Illini return to action on Thursday, Feb. 27 when the host Northwestern at Assembly Hall on Senior Night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.