MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Fighting Illini women's basketball fell to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 78-50, on Wednesday night. The Illini were led by sophomore Alex Wittinger, a native of Delano, Minn., who posted 25 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks on the night. Freshman Petra Holešínska also scored in double-digits to help lead the Illini, her 10th game in double-figures this season. The Illini fall to 8-11 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play.
"Give credit to Minnesota, they played well tonight," head coach Matt Bollant said. "I felt like we got great shots in the first quarter. We were really patient and we worked the ball, but then we just didn't finish it. We had six or seven shots go in and out and, unfortunately, we just didn't respond after we missed those shots."
Wittinger started off the scoring on Wednesday night, posting six of Illinois' first eight points in the game as the Illini and the Gophers traded an early lead. Minnesota got hot at the end of the period, however, using a 13-2 run to take the lead heading into the second quarter. Wittinger racked up two rejections for the Illini in the opening frame, while freshman Brandi Beasley and sophomore Jaelyne Kirkpatrick both contributed buckets for the Orange and Blue.
Wittinger and Beasley capitalized off of free throws early in the second quarter, and Holešínska knocked down back-to-back jumpers to cut into the Minnesota lead. The Gophers, however, went on a 10-2 run to again extend their advantage in the game. Holešínska posted seven of Illinois' 12 second quarter points, also netting a three-pointer before the halftime break. She has knocked down at least one trey in five of Illinois' last six games.
Wittinger led the Illini with 10 points in the first half. She also tallied her three steals and two blocks in the first half, marking just the fifth time in her career that she has carded multiple blocks and steals in a game.
Illinois got off to a fast start in the second half, putting up seven quick points to cut into Minnesota's lead. UI held the Gophers without a point for more than four minutes to start the second half, but Minnesota shot 50-percent from the field in the third quarter to stay on top. Wittinger added six more points in the third quarter, while Holesinska and Beasley also contributed to the Illini scoring.
"I really liked our start to the third quarter," Bollant said. "We came out with a lot of energy. Then, we struggled the rest of the quarter to make shots. We only scored six points the rest of the quarter and you just have to be able to make shots on the road."
The Illini fought through the fourth quarter on Wednesday evening, but Minnesota outscored Illinois 23-15 to close the game. The Illini shot 32.8-percent from the field, led by Wittinger who knocked down 10-of-19 field goals on 53-percent shooting in her home state. She was 5-for-6 from the free throw line to lead the Illini as well.
The Illini will head out for another road trip this weekend, taking on the 16th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Jan. 22. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. CT.
Team Notes
-Illinois moved to 8-11 overall this season and 3-3 in Big Ten play after Wednesday's 78-50 loss to Minnesota. Illinois still leads the all-time series, 36-28.
-With two players scoring in double-figures, Illinois has had two or more players with double-digit scoring totals in all but two games this season.
Individual Notes
-Sophomore Alex Wittinger had her 4th 20-point game of the season and seventh of her career.
-Wittinger earned her 11th consecutive double-figure scoring effort, marking her 17th double-digit scoring total of the season and 30th of her career.
-Wittinger had three steals in the game. The sophomore has recorded multiple steals in three-consecutive games.
-Wittinger had her third multi-steal and multi-block game of the season and fifth of her career.
-Freshman Petra Holešínská has hit a three-pointer in five of the last six games for the Illini.
-With 12 points, Holešínská had her 10th game scoring in double-digits this season.
-Senior Ashley McConnell recorded a season-high three assists.
