Nov. 12, 2006
Box Score
Illinois-Butler Box Score (PDF)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois was tested against Butler on Sunday at Assembly Hall, but the defense tightened the screws when it needed to as the Illini pulled away for a 65-47 season opening victory. Redshirt freshman Lacey Simpson led the Orange and Blue with 17 points and seven rebounds, both game-highs, as Illinois improved to 15-1 in season openers at home in its history.
Butler jumped out to an early 12-4 lead, but Simpson, sophomore Chelsea Gordon and junior Danyel Crutcher wouldn't let the deficit grow any larger. The trio combined to score all the points in a 15-0 run that gave the Illini a 19-12 lead at the 10:53 minute mark. Simpson scored the first six points in the run and sparked the Illini defense that held Butler scoreless for over five minutes during the run and allowed just four points from 15:08 mark to the 5:52 mark of the half. The Illinois' biggest lead in the first half was 31-19 at the 2:57 mark, but Butler went on a mini 8-2 run to close the half. Illinois led 33-27 at the break after shooting a sizzling .636 (14-22) from the field.
The Illini came out flat in the second half as the Bulldogs closed within one (42-41) with 10:11 left in the game, but the defense came through again as Illinois went on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to pull away. Simpson again started the scoring run with a three-pointer. Butler would score just six points the rest of the way after closing within one.
Illinois shot .563 (27-48) from the field and .667 (6-9) from three-point land for the game in addition to holding a 37-23 advantage on the glass. In addition to Simpson, Gordon (12 points), Crutcher (10 points) and freshman Jenna Smith (10 points) were also in double figures. Sophomore Lori Bjork, running the point for most of the game, had nine points and three assists.
Illinois hits the road for a Tuesday night match-up with UIC in Chicago. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The Illini return home on Saturday, Nov. 18 to face Loyola at 2 p.m.
