Dec. 5, 2005
Box Score
PEORIA, Ill. - Illinois used hot shooting and big efforts from Janelle Hughes and Audrey Tabon Monday night to defeat Bradley, 80-64, at Robertson Memorial Field House and improve to 5-2 overall and 2-1 on the road. Hughes poured in a career-high 22 points, including four three-pointers, and Tabon had 15 points and 11 rebounds to notch her first career double-double.
"I'm very pleased with this group tonight," said Grentz after what was perhaps her squad's best all-around game of the season. "I really think we're moving in the right direction. It's easy when everyone is making contributions and we're all on the same page and having fun. Still, we have a lot we need to work on and two tough games coming up."
It was a see-saw affair in the first half until to Illinois went on an 11-2 run around the eight minute mark to turn a 15-14 deficit into a 25-17 lead. The Illini extended the lead to 36-23 with just over a minute to go after a Hughes jumper, but Bradley's Amy Peters hit two treys in the final minute to keep the Braves in it at the half, 36-29.
Illinois came out intense in the second half, pushing the lead to double figures right away on buckets by Erin Wigley and Hughes. The lead hovered around 10 for most of the second half until the Orange and Blue finally started to pull away and extend the lead. A mini 7-0 run, capped by a Tabon three-point play at the 4:59 mark, made the score 71-54 and gave the Illini their largest lead of the game.
Tabon came alive in the second half, notching 11 of her 15 points and eight of her 11 boards after the break. Illinois shot a sizzling 58.6 percent in the second half and used its size advantage to punish the Braves in the paint, 44-24 for the game. The Illini were also able to get out and run more than they have at any point this season, outscoring BU 19-6 on fast break points.
The 80 points by the Illini was the best offensive output of the season, and the 53.3 percent shooting and seven three-pointers made were also season-highs.
Hughes hit 9 of 16 shots and 4-6 threes for her 22 points, and also added five assists and four steals.
"When Janelle shoots I expect it to go in," said Grentz of the senior from Country Club Hills, Ill. "She took 16 shots tonight, but they were all good ones. They weren't rushed or forced at all."
Senior point guard Maggie Acuna had another terrific all-around game, playing all 40 minutes and finishing with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and a career-high tying six steals. Freshman Danielle Gratton came off the bench to net nine points in only 13 minutes of action, while Wigley finished in double figures with 11 points and freshman Lori Bjork chipped in nine points.
"I thought the senior back court was terrific," said Grentz of the Hughes-Acuna duo that totaled 28 points, 12 assists, 10 steals and eight rebounds. "And Danielle Gratton hit a couple big shots - she gives us a nice look out there."
Bradley upset the Illini, 70-67, last year at Assembly Hall in a game that Hughes sat out because of a hamstring injury. It was the only game Hughes missed all of last season.
"We talked about last year as a team. It was definitely a factor," said Hughes when asked if there was any extra motivation after last year's loss to Bradley. "I wanted to get out there and help the team win after missing last year's game."
Up Next: Illinois (5-2) heads to sunny Florida to take on the Gators (6-1) in Gainesville this Friday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. (ET). The game will be carried live on the Illini Radio Network and on fightingillini.com.
