@IlliniWBB Falls in Heated Battle at Miami

Coral Gables, Fla. - Fighting Illini women's basketball dropped a hard-fought battle to the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday night, Dec. 2, in the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Despite maintaining the lead for most of the contest, Illinois couldn't overcome a late deficit, falling 73-64. The Orange and Blue move to 4-1 overall on the season and 2-1 in the all-time series with Miami. Freshman Cierra Rice put up double-figure scoring numbers for the third consecutive contest on Wednesday, and earned her second 20-point game of her career.

"I'm really proud of Cece {Cierra Rice}, I thought she was great tonight," head coach Matt Bollant said. "I thought our kids battled and fought. I give Miami credit, they had a four minute stretch there where they were much better. We can't get outscored 16-0 in a four minute stretch."

The matchup was heated from the start as the Illini kicked things off with a 9-0 run from the opening tip, holding the Hurricanes scoreless for the first two and a half minutes of play. Miami came right back, however, pulling ahead with an 11-0 run of its own. Illinois stayed tough, again taking a 21-18 first-quarter lead. Freshman Cierra Rice put up nine points in the period to lead the Illini, and sophomore Brooke Kissinger helped UI gain momentum with a go-ahead three-pointer.

Illinois carried that momentum into the second quarter, going on a 10-0 run to start.  By halftime, the Illini had pulled ahead to a 35-28 lead, and allowed just 10 second-quarter points from Miami. The Hurricanes averaged 18 points a quarter prior to Wednesday's contest. Rice finished the first half with 12 points, recording her third consecutive double-digit scoring game. Illinois held Miami to just 10-percent shooting from distance in the half, while knocking down five treys of its own on 38-percent shooting. The Orange and Blue shot 48-percent from the field before the break. 

The two teams kept it close in the third quarter, with the Illini staying on top. Miami was back to it's regular scoring pattern as the Hurricanes put up 21 points in the period. Illinois tallied 17 of its own to maintain the advantage. The Illini continued to hold the Hurricanes off from distance, allowing just one more three-pointer in the third period. Miami made just 2-of-17 attempts from beyond the arc heading into the final period of play. 

Illinois fought for the lead in the fourth period, however, the 'Canes used back-to-back three-pointers in the final six minutes to take the lead in the game. The two buckets doubled Miami's three-pointer total in the game. Despite playing tough on defense, however, Illinois couldn't recover from the late deficit. The Hurricanes pulled away from a 73-64 victory on the night. 

Both the Illini and the 'Canes recorded 12 steals in the contest, and Illinois forced 18 Miami turnovers on the night. 

Illinois will return to Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 6, hosting Lehigh in a 2 p.m. contest. The Illini will host a Teddy Bear toss at the game, and fans who bring a new, stuffed toy to the doors will receive $3 admission upon arrival. 

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest on Illinois women's basketball.  

Notes

-Miami handed the Illini their first loss of the season, prior to Wednesday's game, Illinois was one of just 27 undefeated teams in the nation. 

-Illinois falls to 2-1 in the all-time series with Miami.

-Freshman Cierra Rice finished with 22 points on the night, her third consecutive double-figure scoring game and second 20-point game this season.

-Prior to facing the Illini, Miami was averaging 18 points per quarter, and 73 points per game. Illinois held Miami to just 10 points in the second period. 

-Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons put up 10 points against Miami, earning her fourth double-digit scoring game this year. 

-Illinois gave up 34 points off turnovers, the most in a game this season.