Nov. 20, 2006

Box Score

DeKalb, Ill. - Sophomore forward Chelsea Gordon scored a career-high 16 points, but it wasn't enough as Northern Illinois clawed its way to a 69-63 upset of the Fighting Illini in DeKalb Monday night. Junior Danyel Crutcher had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as Illinois fell to 3-1 on the season. It was Illinois' first loss to the Huskies since Dec. 16, 1990.

Trailing 35-32 at the break, the Illini battled back to take a 48-46 lead on a Lacey Simpson jumper at the 10:28 mark of the second half, but that lead was brief. Just 11 seconds later, NIU's Stephanie Raymond got a steal and lay-up to spark a 7-0 Huskie run. Illinois battled back to tie the score at 60 with 1:59 remaining on a Lori Bjork jumper, but NIU again responded on the next possession as Jessie Wilcox hit a back-breaking three-pointer as the shot clock expired to put NIU back on top for good.

Illinois had one more chance after freshman Lacey Simpson and Jenna Smith blocked NIU shots with 45 seconds left to force a shot clock violation with score still 63-60. However, the Illini turned the ball over on next possession and Raymond hit 6-of-6 from the line in the final seconds to seal Illinois' fate.

Illinois had a season-low 13 turnovers and out-rebounded NIU 45-42, but shot just 37 percent (25-67) from the field. In addition to Gordon and Crutcher's big games, sophomore Lori Bjork (12 points, five assists) and Simpson (10 points, nine rebounds) also had solid outings, while freshman Jenna Smith had six points and nine boards.

Raymond led NIU with 24 points and eight assists and Kristin Wiener had 14 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks for the Huskies (2-1).

Illinois won't have much time to recover as it returns to Assembly Hall to host a pair of games around the Thanksgiving holiday. Northern Colorado comes to town on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, Nov. 25, the Illini welcome Saint Joseph's to the Hall for a noon tip-off.