White Matches Blocks Record in Loss to South Dakota

Champaign, Ill. – Fighting Illini sophomore Chatrice White earned her fourth consecutive double-double and swatted a State Farm Center record seven blocks on Tuesday night, Dec. 22, however it wasn't enough to lift the Illini over South Dakota as the Coyotes handed Illinois it's first loss at home this season. The Illini (7-3) fell, 85-76, to South Dakota (9-4), despite knocking down 10 three-pointers and shooting better than 40-percent on the night.

"I thought that the first 15 minutes of the first half we played really hard," head coach Matt Bollant said. "We played good defense, then we made some mistakes and it zapped us a little bit. I think we need to grow from that." 

Illinois pulled ahead to an early lead over South Dakota, owning a 22-16 advantage after the first quarter of play. Brooke Kissinger, Chatrice White and Cierra Rice led with five points in the first period, and six Illini found the net in the opening quarter. Both Illinois and South Dakota knocked down three triples in the quarter, but the Orange and Blue were able to force six Coyote turnovers while committing just three of their own. 

The Illini pulled ahead to a 10-point lead to start the second quarter, but South Dakota decided to turn on the heat. The Coyotes went on a 15-4 run to take a two point lead into the locker room at the half. Illinois shot 50-percent from distance in the first half, going 13-of-29 from the floor (45-percent) as well. 

South Dakota held on to its lead out of the halftime break, going on a 10-1 run right off the bat. The Coyotes took a 10-point lead of their own before Illinois used a 9-2 run of its own to close the gap. Three Illini had put up double-digit scoring numbers by the end of the third period, including freshman Rice who has now scored more than 10 points in each of the last eight games. Proving her versatility, White had racked up five blocks before the fourth quarter, just two shy of her career-high, which she reached in the fourth quarter of play. 

The Coyotes would not go away, again going on a 16-2 run to start the fourth quarter. Down 19 points with just over five minutes to play, the Illini worked to turn things around. Illinois put up seven-straight points on their way to a 9-1 run during the last five minutes of the game. The Illini nailed six more points just before the final minute of play, but could not catch up to the Coyotes. 

In the contest, Illinois capitalized on 18 South Dakota turnovers and made 12 three-pointers for the second consecutive game. The Illini finished with nine blocks, allowing none from South Dakota. 

After a brief holiday break, the Orange and Blue will return to the State Farm Center to host George Washington at 2 p.m. on Dec. 28. The Illini will then open Big Ten play against Maryland on Dec. 31. 

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

Notes

-South Dakota handed Illinois its first loss in the State Farm Center this season, Illinois falls to 7-1 at home and 3-1 at the State Farm Center.

-Six Illini found the net in the first quarter of the game, and eight of nine Illini who saw playing time scored in the game. 

-With seven blocks on the night, sophomore Chatrice White tied her career-high and the State Farm Center record. White has recorded three or more blocks in five consecutive games. 

-Freshman Cierra Rice once again scored in double-digits tonight with 13 points, her eighth consecutive game this season.

-Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons knocked down five three-pointers against South Dakota. She has made four or more treys in four games this season. She has made at least one trey in nine games this season. 

-Illinois knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers for the second consecutive game.