Jan. 12, 2006
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois' defense, which came into the game allowing opponents a league low 37.0 shooting percentage, lived up to its reputation Thursday night in a 66-57 victory over Penn State. The Illini held the Lady Lions to just 31.9 percent from the field (23-72), including only 11.8 percent (2-17) from behind the arc, to improve to 7-0 on the season when holding opponents under 35 percent shooting. The win snapped a five-game skid against Penn State and extended Illinois' home court winning streak to nine, the longest since an 18-game streak from 1997-99. Janelle Hughes led Illinois with 15 points, while Danyel Crutcher added 14 for the Orange and Blue.
Illinois (11-4, 3-1) took control of the game with a 16-0 run midway through the first half to turn a 20-14 deficit into a 30-20 lead and would not trail the rest of the way. During the run, which was capped off by a Lori Bjork three-pointer 4:21 before halftime, the Illini forced five turnovers and 11 consecutive missed shots while holding Penn State (7-9, 1-4) scoreless for a span of 8:38. Illinois maintained the 10-point lead at the break, 36-26. PSU was 0 of 8 from behind the arc, while the Illini shot 42.4 percent (14-33) in the half.
The Orange and Blue remained in control for the final 20 minutes, but struggled to put the game away as PSU stayed within single digits most of the way. The Illini defense however, would refuse to let the Lions make a run. They closest they got was within four, 45-41, at the 12:32 mark, but that was quickly pushed up back to 10 on consecutive buckets by Crutcher, Chelsea Gordon and Audrey Tabon.
Hughes hit 3 of 4 from downtown and scored 13 of her 15 points in the first 12 minutes of the game. From there the Illini posts took over as Crutcher hit 7 of 12 shots for 14 points and eight boards, and Audrey Tabon, after scoring just two points in three first-half minutes due to foul trouble, finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. As a team, the Illini hit 24 of 56 shots (.429), 6 of 11 three-pointers (.545) and 12 of 15 free throws (.800) for the game.
Illinois was out-rebounded for just the fourth time this season, 45-41, as PSU pulled down 20 offensive rebounds. Lions held a 32-20 edge on points in the paint, but it wasn't enough as Illinois improved to 6-0 at home this season. Illini coach Theresa Grentz is now just three victories away from the 650-win milestone.
Up Next: Illinois (11-4, 3-1) hits the road on Sunday to tangle with the Wisconsin Badgers (6-10, 1-4) in Madison. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. The Illini are currently tied with #8/8 Ohio State and #17/14 Minnesota for second place in the Big Ten with 3-1 marks. All three teams are chasing first place #12/11 Purdue (5-0).
