Feb. 23, 2006
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Iowa used a key 14-1 second half run to break open a tight game, and then held on for a 71-60 win over Illinois in front of 3,891 fans at Assembly Hall Thursday night. The Illini (13-13, 5-10) led just once in the contest, but were able to stay within striking distance behind 15 points from both Lori Bjork and Erin Wigley. Senior Janelle Hughes added 14 points and Danyel Crutcher snared 11 rebounds, however, Iowa's Crystal Smith (23 points) and Megan Skouby (18) countered on the other end to give the Hawkeyes (16-10, 9-6) a season sweep of the Illini.
In her final game at Assembly Hall, Hughes came out hot, scoring seven of Illinois' first nine points. However, the Hawkeyes came out even hotter, hitting seven of their first 10 from the field to open up a slim 14-9 lead early on. Illinois clawed back within two when Danyel Crutcher hit a short jumper to make it 34-32 with under two minutes to go, but a quick 6-0 Iowa spurt seemed to give the Hawkeyes the momentum heading into halftime. Bjork had other ideas, however, as the Illini freshman buried a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to make the score 40-35, and, more importantly, give the Illini some much need momentum heading into the break.
Hughes led the way with nine points in the half, while Wigley and Bjork each added eight for the Illini, who shot 42.9 percent. Crystal Smith and Megan Skouby each had 12 points for the Hawks, who shot a sizzling 53.3 percent in the first half.
Illinois scored the first four points of the second half on a bucket by Wigley and a pair of Bjork free throws to pull the Illini within one at 40-39, but Iowa went on a 14-1 run over the next five and a half minutes to break the game open. The run, which gave Iowa a 54-40 lead with 12:23 to play, was started by a Tiffany Reedy three-pointer and was capped by a pair of Crystal Smith fastbreak lay-ups.
Illinois countered with a 15-6 run of its own, capped by a Maggie Acuna three-pointer to get back within 60-55 with five minutes remaining, but would get no closer down the stretch.
The Illini shot 40.0 percent (24-60) for the game and 53.8 percent (7-13) from three-point land, and out-rebounded Iowa 37-34, but 14 turnovers doomed their chances. The Hawkeyes scored 19 points off turnovers compared to two for Illinois, and held a 22-6 advantage in points in the paint. The loss was the ninth in the last 10 game for Illinois, while Illini head coach Theresa Grentz remained one victory shy of 650 for her career.
Seniors Maggie Acuna (five points, six assists), Janelle Hughes (14 points) and Brittney Daugherty (DNP), playing their last game at Assembly Hall, were all honored before the game for their contributions over the last four years.
Illinois (13-13, 5-10) will finish the regular season on the road this Sunday, Feb. 23, at Michigan (6-21, 0-15). Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. Next week the Illini will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament presented by Xbox Live, which takes place March 2-6 at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Illini Win Fourth Annual Big Ten SuperFan Cup
Illinois got some good news on Thursday night when it was revealed that it was the recipient of the Big Ten's SuperFan Cup for the 2005-06 season. The Illini averaged 3,468 fans in eight Big Ten games this season, compared to 2,034 in 2004-05 - an increase of 71 percent. The SuperFan Cup, which will be presented to the Illini during their first Big Ten Tournament game on March 2 in Indianapolis, recognizes the school's marketing and promotional campaign to help boost attendance at women's basketball games. Click here for more information on the Big Ten Superfan Cup.
