COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fighting Illini women's basketball closed non-conference play at No. 16 Missouri on Friday afternoon, falling 72-55 to the Tigers. Illinois was led by sophomore Brandi Beasley, who recorded 14 points and five rebounds. Junior Alex Wittinger also contributed 13 points for the Illini, knocking down 4-of-4 from the free throw line. The Orange and Blue fall to 9-5 on the season, and will open Big Ten play at Maryland on December 28.
Illinois set out on a balanced attack from the start as six Illini netted at least two points for the Orange and Blue to open the game. Illinois took an early lead over the Tigers, but Missouri used an 8-0 run to tie the game and pull ahead. Beasley beat the shot clock with a clutch three-pointer, however, to tie the game back at 16. The Orange and Blue closed the first period on a 5-0 run to take a 21-18 lead into the second period. Illinois shot 47-percent from the floor in the opening frame, and knocked down 4-of-8 shots from distance.
"We have been trying to build a culture, and the operative word is fight," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "That was what we talked about before the game. We need to do that and we need to play some tough defense. I thought our start was really good."
The Tigers picked up the pace defensively in the second quarter, allowing just eight Illini points before halftime. Despite trailing, 37-29, at the half, Illinois forced 10 Missouri turnovers in the first half and capitalized with 11 points off of those miscues.
Beasley found her groove in the third quarter, netting nine of Illinois' 15 points. The Illini traded baskets with the Tigers throughout the period, but Missouri knocked down eight free throws in the quarter to hold on to its lead. Illinois was tough on defense, holding Missouri without a three-pointer in the third quarter. Beasley led Illinois with her 14 points heading into the final frame, also adding three rebounds and two assists.
The Illini defense continued to hold strong to close out the game, holding Missouri to just nine fourth-quarter points on 27-percent shooting. Wittinger led UI in the final frame with four points, but Illinois could not overcome the Tigers.
Redshirt sophomore Cierra Rice earned her first start of the season on Friday, and the 13th of her career. She finished with eight points and a rebound. Illinois shot 34-percent from the field and scored 13 points off of Tiger turnovers.
The Illini are back in action at Maryland on December 28 and will host Northwestern on December 31 at 2 p.m. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
