Madison, Wis. – Fighting Illini women's basketball fell to the Wisconsin Badgers, 59-55, on Wednesday evening in a hard-fought battle. Sophomore Alex Wittinger led the Illini with 19 points, while freshmen Brandi Beasley and Petra Holešínská were also among scoring leaders putting up 15 and 10 points, respectively. Wittinger also led the Illini on the boards with nine rebounds and swatted all of UI's rejections. Illinois falls to 8-20 on the season and 3-12 in Big Ten play.
"I was really proud of our second half," head coach Matt Bollant said. "I was really happy with how we played in the third quarter. We got over some poor shooting in the first half and really fought and defended and I thought some late foul calls were the difference. We got back, but didn't get the ball stopped a couple of times. Wisconsin shooting 28 free throws and a couple of them late, really hurt us."
The Illini were tough on defense right from the start on Wednesday, holding the Badgers scoreless for just under four minutes to start the game. Holešínská got on the board first for the Orange and Blue, leading the squad with five first-quarter points. The Illini forced five Wisconsin turnovers to start the game, taking an early advantage, however the Badgers pushed back with a 7-0 run to take the lead.
Illinois kicked off the second quarter with five-straight points to take back that advantage. The Badgers took advantage of their free throws in the quarter, pulling ahead for a 26-18 halftime lead. Illinois forced 11 Badger turnovers before the break, but the Badgers led on the boards, 26-21. Wittinger led Illinois with five points and six rebounds at the half, while Holešínská and Beasley also racked up five points apiece.
The Orange and Blue came back tough out of the halftime break, going on a 9-3 run to help close in on the Wisconsin lead. The Badgers continued to push back, but a 9-0 Illini run put Illinois back on top in the third quarter. Wisconsin and Illinois traded the advantage to end the third frame, but freshman Courtney Joens netted a contested three-pointer with a few seconds left in the quarter to give the Illini a 39-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter. UI outscored Wisconsin 21-12 in the third quarter, led by Wittinger and Joens who added six points each.
Both Illinois and Wisconsin traded baskets in the final frame to keep the game close until the final seconds. The Badgers, however, outscored the Illini 21-16 to close the game and take the 59-55 victory. The Illini shot 50-percent in the second half, highlighted by 61-percent shooting in the third quarter, but it wasn't enough to hold off Wisconsin. The Illini held Wisconsin to 36-percent shooting in the second half and 33-percent for the game, but the Badgers took advantage from the charity stripe with 19 made free throws.
Illinois' scoring leader, Wittinger also closed the night with five blocked shots, to mark the third time this season she has tallied five or more rejections in a game. Beasley dished four assists on the night, also adding three steals to her tally, while Holešínská was among rebounding leaders for her seven boards on the night.
The Illini will close regular season play on Saturday, Feb. 25, hosting the Indiana Hoosiers in a noon contest. The matchup will air live on the Big Ten Network, and Illinois will honor senior Ashley McConnell prior to tip-off. Saturday's game will also mark Hail to the Orange Day, featuring free t-shirts, poms and rally towels for fans in attendance.
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
Team Notes
- Illinois moved to 8-20 overall this season and 3-12 in Big Ten play with a 59-55 loss to Wisconsin.
- The Illini lead the overall series, 36-35.
- With three Illini in double-figures, Illinois continues to produce a balanced scoring attack. The Orange and Blue have had two or more players in double-digits in all but two games this season.
Individual Notes
- With 19 points, sophomore Alex Wittinger scored in double-digits for the 25th time this season and 38th time in her career.
- Freshman Brandi Beasley scored in double-figures for the 20th time this season with 15 points.
- Freshman Petra Holešínská scored in double-figures for the 14th time this season with 10 points.
- Senior Ashley McConnell grabbed a season-high three rebounds.
