CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball fell to the Virginia Tech Hokies, 96-49, on Thursday night. The Orange and Blue were led by sophomore Brandi Beasley and junior Alex Wittinger who scored in double-figures. Illinois falls to 5-4 on the season.
The Hokies took an early lead in the first quarter, holding Illinois to just nine points in the opening frame. Wittinger led Illinois with four of those points, also adding two blocks to start the game.
Virginia Tech extended its lead in the second quarter, knocking down six three-pointers on 67-percent shooting in the period. Beasley netted four of her six first-half points in the second quarter, while Wittinger also added four of her own. The Delano, Minnesota, native tallied four of Illinois' five first-half blocks as she continues to climb Illinois' all-time blocked shots list. The Hokies took a 53-26 lead into the locker room at the half.
Beasley moved into double-figure scoring numbers in the third quarter as she and Wittinger combined for eight points in the period. Wittinger recorded her fifth block of the game to start the second half, and she has now tallied five or more rejections in four career games.
Beasley finished with a team-leading 12 points, also adding five rebounds and three assists. Wittinger closed the contest with 11 points, eight boards and five blocks. Illinois forced 12 Virginia Tech turnovers, but the Hokies tallied 10 steals on the day and forced 16 Illini turnovers. Virginia Tech shot 53-percent from the field and held the Illini to just 25-percent shooting.
Next up, Illinois will head to Memphis for a 2 p.m. contest on Sunday afternoon. The Illini return to Champaign on December 7, hosting Indiana State at 7 p.m. The game will mark another Three-Point Thursday, and fans are invited to shoot around on the court following the game. The Orange and Blue will also hold a toy drive, collecting toys to benefit Toys for Tots.
