Jan. 14, 2010

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Fighting Illini certainly lived up to their name Thursday night, fighting back from 17 points down to put a scare into fifth-ranked Ohio State at Value City Arena in Columbus. Even with star center Jenna Smith hobbled with a hamstring injury, the Illini got within three early in the second half before going on to lose 72-61 to the five-time defending Big Ten Champs.

"If we would have played in the first half like we did in the second, the outcome might have been different," Illinois head coach Jolette Law said. "But I have to give a lot a credit to Ohio State. They're the No. 5 team for a reason and they responded after we made our run. At the same time, I have to give a lot of credit to my team as well. We didn't quit and I'm proud of them for that."

Freshman Karisma Penn had a big game for the Orange and Blue, tying her career-high with 21 points and also adding eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals, but it wasn't enough as Illinois fell to 11-5 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play. Senior Whitney Toone also had a big game, scoring a season-high 12 points, all in the second half, and sophomore Lydia McCully was in double-figures, pouring in 10 points for the Illini.

Illinois was blown out by the Buckeyes, 76-47, on Dec. 28 in Champaign, and early on tonight looked like a continuation of that game. Ohio State (18-1, 6-0) jumped out to a 10-0 lead right out of the gates and were in total control of the game with 4:46 left in the first half after Jantel Lavender hit a pair of three throws to give the Buckeyes a 32-15 lead, their largest of the game. Sophomore Macie Blinn and freshman Adrienne GodBold, in addition to Penn, helped gave the Illini a bit of a lift before halftime as Illinois closed to within 37-25 at the break. Illinois shot just 22 percent in the first half, compared to 40 percent for the Buckeyes.

The Illini then came out firing in the second half, going on a 12-3 run right out of the gates to pull to within 40-37 at the 16 minute mark. Illinois was still within six at the midpoint of the half, trailing 50-44 after a Lydia McCully three-pointer with 10:11 left, but back-to-back threes by OSU's Maria Moeller pushed the Buckeye lead back to 12 and the Illini would get no closer than six from that point on. The Orange and Blue shot a sizzling 55 percent in the second half and held a 38-20 edge on points in the paint, but it wasn't enough to complete the upset.

"Maria Moeller hit a couple big threes after we cut it to three," Law said. "I remember her shot here two years ago from the left corner that beat us. I still have visions of it sometimes. She's one of their X-factors and is a great shooter. She seems to hit big shots against us for whatever reason."

The Orange and Blue did an admirable job defending Lavender, especially with Smith injured for most of the game. The Big Ten's leading scorer was held without a field goal for the first 27 minutes and to 12 points for the game. However, it was point guard Samantha Prahalis, the Buckeyes' other All-America candidate, who did most of the damage, finishing with 24 points, five steals and five assists.

Smith injured her hamstring trying to make a play in the post in the opening minute of the game and would go into the training room to get it looked at. She returned to play 10 more minutes later in the half, but with a noticeable limp. She also took the floor for 17 minutes in the second half, but was not herself as she was relegated to mostly standing outside the three-point line on offense. Smith still managed to finish with 5 points and seven rebounds, all in the second half, but her streak of 54 straight games in double-figures came to a close. She did move to within seven boards of becoming the Illinois all-time rebounding leader.

"Jenna Smith has a strained hamstring," Law said of her senior star's status. "She was a warrior tonight, she told me `Coach, I going back in.' You could tell she wasn't herself out there and I probably should have pulled her (out of the game) more than I did, but she wanted to stay in. That shows you what type of competitor she is."

The Fighting Illini remain on the road as they head to Madison on Sunday to face Wisconsin at 1 p.m. CT. They'll return home next Thursday, Jan. 21, to host the Iowa Hawkeyes at Assembly Hall at 7 p.m.