Nov. 19, 2010
Box Score
Peoria, Ill. - Junior guard Macie Blinn hit five three-pointers and poured in a career-high 22 points to spark Illinois in a 73-51 victory at Bradley's new Renaissance Coliseum Friday night. The Illini forced 28 Bradley turnovers and led from start to finish to get their first win of the season.
Blinn hit 5-of-8 from beyond the arc to eclipse her previous career-highs of four threes and 16 points. Redshirt freshman Amber Moore also joined in on the three-point barrage, hitting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc to finish with 16 points, all in the second half.
Illinois (1-2) led 28-20 at the half thanks to three first-half threes by Blinn, and the Illini pulled away early in the second half as Moore joined in on the three-point barrage. Moore hit four threes in the span of 3:13 to help extend the Illini lead to 49-32 with 11:57 remaining. The Orange and Blue cruised from there, shooting 57 percent in the second half, including 6-of-8 from three-point range.
The Fighting Illini jumped on top 8-1 right out of the gates as junior post Lana Rukavina and sophomore forward Karisma Penn had their way inside early. The Illini offense stalled a bit when Bradley switched to a zone, but Blinn came to the rescue, hitting two threes in the final 2:19 of the half to provided a little breathing room at the break.
"Macie Blinn gave us huge boost off then bench after Bradley switched to a zone," Illinois head coach Jolette law said. "Their defense was collapsing on our posts, but Macie and Amber (Moore) were both shooting with confidence tonight, which is what we need them to do."
Junior guard Lydia McCully had a solid game at the point hitting 5-of-7 from the field for 10 points and dishing out a career-high seven assists. Penn nearly had a double-double, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three blocks while also dishing out five assists to the Illini shooters.
For the game, Illinois held a 38-6 edge in bench points thanks to Blinn and Moore, and shot 52 percent for the game (27-of-52), 50 percent from downtown (9-of-18) and 83 percent from the line (10-of-12). Bradley (1-2) held a 35-24 edge on the boards and was led by Latasha Hollingshed's 21 points and 12 rebounds, but the Illini were able to get 21 points off of 28 Bradley turnovers.
"Defensively, we were able to apply pressure and create turnovers," Law said. "We were able to dictate and make them put it on the floor, which was our game plan coming in.
The Fighting Illini will now return home to Assembly Hall for Youth Day on Monday, Nov. 22, vs. Cal Poly at 11 a.m. All fans can get in free and enjoy lunch at Assembly Hall with hundreds of local elementary and junior high students.
