VERMILLION, S.D. –Freshman Brandi Beasley reset her career-high scoring number for the second consecutive game on Wednesday, putting up 24 points on 6-of-8 shooting from three-point range, but it wasn't enough to lift Illinois over South Dakota. South Dakota used a third-quarter push to overcome the Illini, 77-68. The Orange and Blue fall to 3-6 on the season.
"Brandi played a really great game," head coach Matt Bollant said. "She hit six threes and shot it really well. She did her part to give us a chance to win the game. I am really proud of her effort. Tonight was probably one of the highest level games we have played all year. I am proud of our effort, but we need to be a bit more aware on the defensive end."
Wednesday's game got off to a slow start as neither team scored for almost two minutes in the game. The Illini hit their groove, however, taking a 15-14 lead into the second quarter thanks to a last-minute three-pointer from senior Ashley McConnell. Beasley posted Illinois' first five points in the period.
The Illini stayed hot into the second quarter as freshman Ali Andrews combined with Courtney Joens for five points to start the period. The Coyotes worked to tie it up, but an 8-0 run kept the Orange and Blue on top. All nine players on the court scored for the Illini in the first half, contributing to Illinois' 35-33 halftime lead. Beasley led the squad with 10 points, also contributing six rebounds, two steals and an assist before the break. She was 4-of-5 from the floor including 2-of-2 from distance.
Illinois committed just two first-half turnovers, forcing seven from the Coyotes. The Illini scored seven points off of those turnovers, and saw the bench outscore South Dakota's bench, 12-9. Illinois assisted on eight of 13 first-half field goals, and knocked down eight second chance points on four offensive rebounds.
The two teams traded baskets to start the second half, with the Illini maintaining their advantage. South Dakota capitalized from the free throw line, however, and tied the game midway through the third quarter. Illinois fought back, as both Joens and Andrews made shots for the Illini to keep the game tied up. South Dakota used a 7-0 run to pull ahead of the Illini, but Wittinger got hot and knocked down back-to-back jumpers to shut down the Coyote run.
The Coyotes continued their run to start the fourth quarter, but Illinois continued to fight. Beasley went on a run of her own to end the game as she knocked down three consecutive three-pointers for a 9-0 Illini run. Freshman Petra Holesinska also added a triple for the Illini in the final period as Illinois knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers in the contest. Beasley hit six of those triples on 6-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Wittinger joined Beasley in double-figures as she finished with 11 points and two rebounds on the night. It wasn't enough, however, as the Coyotes overcame the Illini, 77-68.
As a team, Illinois tallied a season-low six turnovers while forcing 13 from South Dakota. The Illini totaled 15 points off of those turnovers.
Illinois is back at home on Sunday, hosting Wright State in a 2 p.m. matchup. The game will mark the final day of Illinois' toy drive benefitting Toys for Tots, and the Illini will host an Ugly Sweater Party. Fans are encouraged to wear their "ugly" holiday sweaters to the game, and will receive a free Illini ugly sweater t-shirt.
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
Notes
- Illinois fell to 3-6 this season with a 77-68 loss at the University of South Dakota. The Orange and Blue are now 0-2 against the Coyotes in the overall series.
- Illinois had a season-low six turnovers in the game.
- The Fighting Illini shot a season-high 46.2-percent from beyond the arc and a season-high 42.6-percent from the field.
- Illinois knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers in the game, the first time an Illini team has done so since also hitting 12 at No. 5 Ohio State last season (2/1/16)
-The Illini also knocked down 12 three-pointers in last year's matchup against South Dakota.
Individual Notes:
- Redshirt-junior Kennedy Cattenhead tied her career-high and set a new season-high with five assists.
- Freshman Brandi Beasley scored a career-high 24 points, knocking down a career-best six three-pointers on 6-of-8 shooting from downtown.
-The game was the first 20+ point performance of Beasley's career.
-Beasley also tied her career-high with three steals in the game.
-It marks her third time scoring in double-digits in the last four games.
