Fourth Quarter Run Pushes Spartans Past @IlliniWBB

Champaign, Ill. - Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons led the Illini with 19 points and four three-pointers in Illinois' regular season home finale on Wednesday night, as Illinois fell to No. 20 Michigan State, 71-43. Illinois overcame its slow start to the first half to take the lead in the third quarter, but ultimately could not stop the Spartans. Illinois moves to 9-19 overall and 3-15 in Big Ten play. 

"I was really proud of our team for three quarters," head coach Matt Bollant said. "In the first quarter we didn't shoot it well, but we battled. We were down 18 and came back to take the lead in the third quarter and we were right there to start the fourth. We just didn't make plays in the fourth quarter and I felt like we hung our heads a little bit. Life doesn't reward you when you do that. I'm frustrated for our team, I thought we played three great quarters and the fourth quarter just wasn't there."

Sophomore Chatrice White also netted 10 points for the Illini, while grabbing nine rebounds. White and Simmons combined to score 67-percent of Illinois' total points, the largest percentage the two Illini have accounted for in a game this season. Simmons netted four of UI's five total three-pointers on the night. 

"I'm really proud of Kyley," Bollant said. "I think she's a warrior and plays the game the way it is supposed to be played. I thought she was great."

Illinois got off to a slow start, scoring just nine points in the first quarter. Michigan State capitalized with 7-of-7 made free throws in the period, taking a seven point lead early on. The Illini held the Spartans to just 27-percent shooting in the period, however.

The Illini started to pick things up in the second period, going into halftime on a 9-0 run over the last two and a half minutes of the second period. The Orange and Blue forced four turnovers in that span, cutting the Spartan lead to nine after trailing by as much as 18 during the second quarter. Simmons led Illinois with 11 points in the first half, though five Illini had points on the board before the break. 

The run continued after the break, as the Illini used a 19-2 run to take the lead over the No. 20 Spartans in the third quarter. Michigan State was able to fight back, but the Illini kept the Spartans close. Simmons knocked down a triple to end the third quarter and keep Illinois within one possession. Both Simmons and White were in double-figures before the fourth quarter, and Illinois again held Michigan State to 27-percent shooting during the third period. Illinois put up 17 points to Michigan State's 11, shooting 50-percent from the floor and knocking down 3-of-5 three pointers. 

Michigan State turned on the defense in the final period, allowing just two points from the Illini to end the game. Six Illini swiped at least one steal in the game, and Illinois' 11 steals were the most for the team since recording 12 at Miami earlier this year. 

The Illini close regular season play on Saturday, heading to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes in a 5 p.m. matchup. The game will air on the Big Ten Network and will also be streamed on WDWS-AM 1400. 

Notes

-With four three-pointers on the night, senior Kyley Simmons has now made four or more threes in eight games this season. She's drained at least one three-pointer in 24 games. 

-Sophomore Chatrice White finished with 10 points on Wednesday, closing in on her 1,000-point club membership. She's just 45 points away from hitting the millennium mark. 

-White and Simmons combined to score 67-percent (29-of-43) of Illinois' total points. It is the largest percentage the two Illini have accounted for in a game this season. This was the second time this season that White and Simmons combined by over 60-percent of the Illini's total scoring and ninth time accounting for at least 50 percent.

-White swatted five rejections in the game, the most since also rejecting five shots against Indiana on Jan. 20.

-Freshman Alex Wittinger also racked up multiple rejections on Wednesday, finishing with four. White and Wittinger combined for nine blocks in the contest, tying a season-high total for the two combined during the game against Lehigh. This marks the seventh game that White and Wittinger have each registered multiple blocks.

-Illinois finished the second quarter on a 9-0 run over the last 2:38 to cut into the Spartan lead. In the last 2:50 of the second quarter Illinois forced four turnovers.

-After shooting just 30-percent in the first half, the Illini were hot in the third quarter shooting 50-percent (6-of-12) from the field and 60-percent (3-of-5) from three.

-Freshman Jaelyne Kirkpatrick tied her career high with four made free throws in a game and attempted five, a new top mark (previously four). 

-Senior Kyley Simmons has played 39 or more minutes in 10 games this season.