Feb. 2, 2006
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois fell behind early and could not recover, eventually falling to No. 12 Minnesota 64-49 Sunday night at Assembly Hall. The loss was the fifth in a row for the Fighting Illini (12-9, 4-6), who will now host No. 17 Michigan State on Sunday.
Minnesota (16-4, 8-1 Big Ten) hit 10 of its first 12 shots and five of its first six three pointers to jump out to a 26-8 lead early on. The Gophers scored on eight straight possessions to finish the run, while Illinois missed 11 of 14 shots during the same span. Jamie Broback, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, scored 12 of UM's first 26 points and would finish the game with a game high 18. The win was Minnesota's sixth straight road victory in Big Ten play.
Illinois was down 39-23 at halftime, but tightened its defense considerably and battled back to close to within seven points, holding Broback scoreless in the process. Minnesota didn't score for over 5 minutes while the Illini cut a 14-point Gopher lead to 50-43 with 5:34 to play. However, the Gophers went on a 14-6 run, with Broback scoring her final four points, to close the game. The Illini were scoreless in the last 3:27.
Freshman Lori Bjork led Illinois with 14 points, while Janelle Hughes added 10. But the Illini shot only 32 percent and were 2-for-11 on 3-pointers. The Illini tied a season-low with just 12 turnovers, however they dished out only three assists and were out-rebounded by a 37-27 margin.
The Gophers were Illinois' fourth nationally ranked opponent in the last five games. The brutal schedule stretch continues as No. 17 Michigan State (16-7, 6-4) comes to Assembly Hall this Sunday for a rare noon tip-off. The game will be televised regionally by Comcast Sports Net Chicago. MSU beat the Illini back on Jan. 19 in East Lansing, 72-61.
