Feb. 16, 2005
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois' women's basketball team rolled over Northwestern, 68-33 Wednesday night at the Assembly Hall to snap a three-game losing streak. With the victory, the Illini push their record to 14-10 overall and 6-8 in Big Ten play while the Wildcats fall to 5-21 and 2-11 in conference play. Janelle Hughes scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Illini while Tiffanie Guthrie had 14 and Angelina Williams extended her streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to 18 with 11 points.
In the first half, the combination of Hughes' offense and Illinois' defense put the game out of reach early. With the Orange and Blue ahead 16-8, Hughes took over, scoring 10 straight points over a 3:10 span to put the Illini up 26-8. A 12-0 run to close the half put the Fighting Illini up 42-12 at halftime, with Northwestern's 12 points tying an Assembly Hall record for fewest points in a half by an Illinois opponent.
Illinois used stifling first half defense and tenacious work on the glass to finish off the Wildcats early. The Illini turned 14 Northwestern first half turnovers into 23 points and limited NU to 24 percent shooting while holding a 25-12 rebounding advantage.
In the second half, Illinois extended its lead to 41 points on three occasions to complete its 11th straight win over the Wildcats. For the game, the Illini forced 22 turnovers, had 13 steals, limited Northwestern to under 26 percent shooting and outrebounded the visitors, 46-33.
Junior Brittany Daugherty had a career-high nine points while Hughes netted her 21 on 9-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Williams and Guthrie each had solid all-around games as Williams pulled down seven boards and blocked three shots to go along with 11 points and Guthrie had five assists, four steals and four rebounds.
Illinois' five three-pointers, which all came in the first half, were the team's most in Big Ten play.
The Illini have a rare weekend off and return to action next Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the Assembly Hall when they host non-conference foe IPFW at 7 p.m.
