Jan. 13, 2004

Final Stats

Madison, Wis. - Illinois?? Cindy Dallas had 14 points and 13 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the Wisconsin Badgers, who defeated the Illini, 66-57, on Tuesday night.

The Illini, the Big Ten leaders in rebounds, were out-rebounded, 41-29, and shot just 38.9 percent from the field. Angelina Williams was also in double figures for the Illini with 11 points. Jere Issenmann added a season-best 10 points, including two three-pointers.

Illinois never led in the game and fell behind by double digits in both halves before rallying each time. Wisconsin led by as many as 12 at 26-14 before Illinois closed the gap to six points at halftime, 31-25. The Illini used a 7-0 run capped off by a lay-up from Cindy Dallas to make it 26-23.

Wisconsin slowly built the lead to 53-36 with just under 10 minutes to play in the game, before Illinois began to chip away. Needing a spark, Illinois put in freshman Missy Mitidiero, who had appeared in one game this season. She scored seven points in the final six minutes to give Illinois a chance at the end. Her trey with 6:06 left, cut the gap to 57-44. She added a free throw and Jere Issenmann connected on a trey to make it 57-50, capping a 9-0 Illinois run.

Williams connected on a pair of free throws to make it 57-52 with 3:10 remaining, but Wisconsin responded. Stephanie Rich made a leaner and Lello Gebisa converted a rebound basket to all but seal the game as Wisconsin led 61-52 with 2:07 remaining.

Rich was the difference for Wisconsin, scoring 12 of her game-high 18 points in the second half, including a pair of three-pointers early in the half as Wisconsin built its lead. Ashley Josephson had 12 point; five Badgers reached double figures.

Illinois falls to 7-8 on the season, 1-3 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin improves to 6-7, 1-3. The Illini travel to #6 Minnesota on Thursday and #9 Penn State on Sunday.