Feb. 18, 2010
Box Score
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Seniors Lacey Simpson and Jenna Smith both had big games for the Fighting Illini, but 24 UI turnovers were too much to overcome in a 64-43 road loss to Michigan State Thursday night a the Breslin Center. Smith was the lone Illini to score in double-figures with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Simpson flirted with a triple-double for a bit, finishing with 10 rebounds, a season-high eight steals and six points as Illinois dropped to 13-13 overall and 5-11 in Big Ten play.
Simpson's eight steals give her 337 for her career and move her into fifth on the Big Ten's all-time list past current Purdue senior FahKara Malone (332 steals). She also had three blocked shots to move within two of second place on the Illinois career blocks list with 154. Smith holds the UI record with 209 swats, but Simpson is right behind Kendra Gantt's second place total of 156. Simpson had one assist on the day, giving her an even 100 dimes on the season and making her the first player in school history with at least 100 assists in four different seasons.
Smith led the Illini in scoring for the 16th time this season and posted her 105th career game in double-figures. Sophomore Lydia McCully had nine points for the Orange and Blue, but freshman Karisma Penn was limited to just 13 minutes played due to foul trouble. Penn had two points and two rebounds before fouling out with 5:25 to play.
Illinois fell behind 10-0 right out of the gates, but got back in it with a 9-1 run of its own to cut the MSU lead to 11-9 with 13:03 to play. The Spartans counted with an 11-0 run, however, to push the lead out the 13 midway through the half and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way. MSU took a 35-15 lead into the break behind 6-of-8 three-point shooting, but it was 16 first half Illini turnovers that did the most damage.
"The first four minutes dictated the outcome of this game," said Illini head coach Jolette Law. "We didn't come out focused at the tip and we had a lot of early turnovers. Just like at Iowa on Sunday, you can't put yourself in a hole like that on the road."
Michigan State scored 21 points off the 24 Illinois turnovers and held a 34-10 edge in bench scoring for the game. The two other keys to the game were getting to the free throw line and three-point shooting. MSU got to the line 27 times, making 16, compared to just four makes on six attempts for Illinois. Additionally, the Spartans hit 8-of-12 from behind the arc compared to 3-of-8 three-point shooting for the Illini.
The Illini shot 35 percent overall, while the hosts connected on 44 percent of their shots. Illinois outrebounded MSU by a count of 35-33.
Michigan State (18-8, 9-6) was led in scoring by Kalisha Keane's 14 points. MSU senior center Alyssa DeHann had three blocked shots to break the NCAA career blocks record. DeHaan now has 487 blocks to move past current St. Mary's junior Louella Tomlinson (486) in what is sure to be a back and fourth battle for the remainder of the season.
The Fighting Illini return home this Sunday for the second annual "Pack the Hall" game at 4 p.m. There will be free admission and free parking for all fans and it will be the final regular season home game for seniors Jenna Smith, Lacey Simpson and Whitney Toone. The first 500 fans in orange will receive a $5 gift card to the Illini Apple Center and one lucky fan will win a flat screen television.
