Jan. 15, 2009
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Juniors Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson both recorded double-doubles for the Orange and Blue, but the Fighting Illini fell to Iowa 72-62 on Thursday at Assembly Hall. Illinois committed a season low 11 turnovers and out-rebounded the Hawkeyes by 17, but was unable to overcome hot three-point shooting by Iowa.
Smith had 18 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for the Illini, just one board off her career-high of 19. It was the All-American's fourth double-double of the season and the 26th of her career. Twelve of her 18 boards were on the offensive end. Simpson also had her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. It is the second time this season that both Smith and Simpson have had double-doubles in the same game, as the duo each accomplished the feat against Penn State on Dec. 28.
Illinois (4-14, 0-7 Big Ten) had a season-high 46 rebounds, including 20 offensive boards, and held a significant 46-29 advantage on the glass over Iowa (10-7, 3-3), largely due to Smith and Simpson. The difference in the game proved to be three-point shooting, however, as Iowa was 10-of-16 (62.5 percent) from behind the arc compared to Illinois' 1-of-7 (14.3 percent) from downtown. Hawkeyes senior point guard Kristi Smith hit five-of-six of her three-point attempts.
The Illini dug themselves a deep hole in the first half, falling behind 27-13 as the Hawkeyes hit six of their first seven from three-point land. The Illini responded, however, with an 8-0 run to stay in the game and went into halftime down just seven, 30-23. Iowa hit 7-of-9 from behind the arc in the first half and shot 44 percent overall, while the Illini hit just 25 percent from the field. Smith already had her season-high for rebounds at the half with 13.
The Illini clawed back within five, 34-29, early in the second half, but a 6-0 mini-run by the Hawkeyes pushed the lead back to double-figures with 16:08 to play. Iowa continued its run, stretching its lead to as many as 17 points with a 56-39 advantage with 8:22 remaining. Illinois did not give up, however, with a 9-0 run with less than two minutes remaining to pull within eight points, 68-60, late in the game. Four made free throws by Iowa in the closing seconds iced the Hawkeye victory.
Illinois owned a 20-2 advantage on second chance points as Smith pulled down 12 offensive rebounds. The Orange and Blue also owned the advantage in the paint, outscoring Iowa 30-14. From the field, the Illini shot 22-of-65 (33.8 percent) compared to Iowa's 26-of-52 (50 percent). Illinois was able to get to the line a season-high tying 21 times, hitting 17 (81.0 percent), while Iowa was 10-of-15 from the charity stripe.
Senior Chelsea Gordon scored a season-high 14 points for Illinois as the third Illini in double figures. Kristi Smith finished with 17 points for Iowa, while Hawkeyes senior center Megan Skouby had a game-high 21 points.
The Illini now head to Wisconsin on Sunday for their third game of the week. The game against the Badgers will tip off at 5 p.m. and will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Illinois then heads to Columbus for a rematch with first-place Ohio State on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. ET/6 CT.
