MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Fighting Illini women's basketball fell to Central Michigan, 82-51, Monday night, moving to 5-7 on the season. The Illini were led in scoring by freshman Brandi Beasley (21), who combined with sophomore Alex Wittinger for 39 points. Beasley earned her second 20-plus point scoring game of the season and has now been Illinois' scoring leader in three games. She also added two assists and a season-high three steals on Monday evening. Wittinger earned her sixth double-double of the season as she posted 18 points and 10 rebounds in the Illini loss.
"I think those two, {Brandi Beasley and Alex Wittinger} played really well," head coach Matt Bollant said. "We need others to do more, knock down shots and make plays. That's not going to get it done on the road...We just didn't play well tonight and Central Michigan is really good at home, especially when they shoot the ball like they did."
The Chippewas shot 48-percent from the floor on Monday night, knocking down 14-of-29 from three-point range. The Illini were held to just 30-percent shooting overall.
Beasley started the scoring early for the Illini, knocking down her first trey off the opening tip. The Illini and the Chippewas kept the game close throughout the opening period, however. As a team, the Illini dished six assists on seven field goals to open play. Beasley knocked down 2-of-2 from three-point range in the first quarter, combining with Alex Wittinger for 12 of Illinois' 17 points.
The Chippewas went on a 16-3 run to start the second quarter and extend their lead over the Illini. Wittinger added another six points to her tally in the second quarter, heading into halftime with 12 points and five rebounds. Beasley was also in double-figures with 10 points at the half. Sophomore Jaelyne Kirkpatrick had swiped two steals before the break, on her way to a season-high three in the game. The Illini shot 50-percent in the first quarter, but were held to just 29-percent shooting in the second period.
Central Michigan outscored the Illini 20-6 in the third quarter, but the Orange and Blue rebounded in the final period with 17 points to close the game. Although the Chippewas won the rebounding battle, 46-32, the Illini recorded 19 second chance points on 14 offensive rebounds and capitalized with 12 points off turnovers.
Illinois will close nonconference play at Ohio on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
Team Notes
- Illinois moved to 5-7 this season with an 82-51 loss to the Central Michigan Chippewas.
- The meeting was the first between the two teams in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Central Michigan snapped Illinois' four-game series winning streak, but still trail in the overall series, 4-3.
Individual Notes
- Freshman Brandi Beasley had 21 points, good for her sixth double-figure scoring effort this season and fourth in the past five games. The freshman has scored 20-plus points in two games this season, both on the road.
- Beasley had two assists and three steals on Monday. The freshman has had only three other games this season with multiple assists and multiple steals.
- Beasley tied her season-high with three steals.
- Sophomore Alex Wittinger had 18 points and 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season and tenth of her career.
- Wittinger had her fourth-consecutive double-figure scoring effort with 18 points. Wittinger has now scored in double-digits in 10 games this season.
- Freshman Courtney Joens was 1-for-1 from behind the arc on Monday night. Joens has hit a three in six of the past seven games for the Illini.
- Sophomore Jaelyne Kirkpatrick tied her season-high with three steals.
