Nov. 14, 2007
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's basketball team suffered its first defeat of the season Wednesday night, falling to UAB at Assembly Hall, 69-56. Danyel Crutcher led the Illini attack with 13 points and seven rebounds and reigning Big Ten Player of the Week Jenna Smith tallied 12 points, seven boards and four blocks as Illinois fell to 2-1 on the season.
The Illini went on a 10-0 run early in the game to open up a 15-5 lead at the 12:33 mark of the first half, but UAB would respond by slowly chipping away at the lead and closed to within five at the half, 29-24. Illinois forced 12 Blazer turnovers in the first half, but hit just 9-of-29 from the field (31 percent).
The Blazers (1-1) came out fired up in the second half, going on an 11-3 run take a 37-32 lead six minutes in. The Illini responded with a 6-0 run to retake the lead, but UAB's speedy guards and pressure defense wreaked havoc on the Illini as the guest's lead grew to as many as eight points, 57-49, with just under four to play. The Blazer defense forced 11 Illinois turnovers in the second half and converted those into 18 points on the other end. For the game, the Blazers scored 22 points off UI turnovers and outscored the Illini 14-0 in fast break points.
Despite the shaky play, the Illini still had a chance to pull out the win in the final minutes. A three-pointer by Lacey Simpson at the 2:04 mark and one of two free throws by Danyel Crutcher with 1:24 left brought the Orange and Blue to within three at 59-56. However, on the ensuing UAB possession Brittney Jones buried a three-pointer from the right wing to put the Blazers back up by six and they would go on to make 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to put the game away.
Illinois shot 36 percent for the game (18-of-50) and just 25 percent from behind the arc (5-of-20) while the Blazers shot at a 46 percent clip (22-of-48) and out-rebounded the Illini 35-28.
It was the first loss of Jolette Law's coaching career. Earlier in the day, Law inked two recruits to National Letters of Intent as Ohio native Macie Blinn and Illinois native Lana Rukavina signed on to join the Fighting Illini in 2008-09.
Illinois will complete its three-game homestand by hosting Southern Illinois on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. The Illini will then head off to Miami, Fla., for the FIU Thanksgiving Classic Nov. 23 and 25.
