Nov. 18, 2006
Final Stats
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois' offense came to life on Saturday at Assembly Hall in an 87-59 victory over Loyola University of Chicago. The Illini shot 54-percent from the field and 53-percent from three-point land to improve to 3-0 on the season. Senior Erin Wigley and sophomore Lori Bjork had 15 points apiece to lead five Illini in double figures.
Wigley, Illinois' most experienced player, had struggled in the first two games this season, but she set the tone early in the game with two quick buckets. She finished 5-of-7 from field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line for her 15 points, and added four rebounds and three assists.
The game was nip-and-tuck for most of the first half. Illinois led most of the way but was unable to pull away until late in the half when a 9-2 run in the final three minutes, capped by a Lori Bjork three-pointer, gave the Illini their largest lead at the break, 45-35. Bjork finished the half with 11 points, while Wigley had a 12 for the Illini.
Illinois poured it on the second half, gradually extending the lead to a comfortable margin before cruising down the stretch. The victory was the third straight over a Horizon League foe, as the Illini beat Butler and Illinois-Chicago to open the season.
Illinois got the line often, hitting 23-of-31 free throws to go along with its hot shooting from the perimeter. The Orange and Blue also forced 20 Loyola turnovers and converted that in 24 points. In addition to Wigley and Bjork, freshman Lacey Simpson (14 points), junior Danyel Crutcher (12 points) and sophomore Chelsea Gordon (11 points) were also in double figures. Crutcher led the way on the glass with six rebounds, while Simpson dished out four assists and had four steals and two blocks.
Defensively, Illinois held the Ramblers to just 33-percent (19-58) from the field and 27-percent (15-19) from behind the arc.
Illinois hits the road for Monday night match up at Northern Illinois before returning to Assembly Hall to host Northern Colorado on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.
