CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball kicked off a six-game home stretch with a 72-66 overtime victory over the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Saturday afternoon. The Illini were led by senior Alex Wittinger who earned her 30th career double-double with a 22 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Ali Andrews closed play with a season-high 19 points and seven rebounds, also knocking down 4-of-4 from three-point range. She netted two treys in the overtime period to help Illinois secure the victory. The Orange and Blue improve to 5-2 on the season and will host Indiana State on Wednesday.
Illini freshman Arieal Scott earned her first career start on Saturday, also starting off the scoring for Illinois with a layup just a few seconds into the contest. The Eagles fired back with a three-pointer early on, but an Andrews three-pointer put the Orange and Blue into the lead. Wittinger and Andrews combined for 14 of Illinois' first-quarter points to send the Illini into the second frame with a 19-12 lead.
Eastern Michigan worked to cut into the Illini lead in the second frame, making six of their 13 second-quarter points from the free throw line. The Orange and Blue maintained their lead into the halftime break, holding EMU to just 29-percent shooting from the field. Wittinger led all scorers with 12 first-half points, and she was joined in double-figures by Andrews who had racked up 10 points. The Illini lead Eastern Michigan, 31-25, heading into the third quarter.
Illinois extended its lead out of the halftime break, using five consecutive points to take their largest advantage of the game in an 11-point lead. The Eagles netted six treys in the quarter, working to cut into Illinois' advantage, however. Illini Sarah Shewan was a major player for the Illini after the halftime break, as she put up 10 points in the third quarter. Shewan knocked down four free throws to end the quarter and build Illinois' advantage before the final frame. Shewan closed play making 6-of-6 from the charity stripe, also finishing with 12 points and seven boards on the day.
Eastern Michigan continued to pressure the Illini in the fourth quarter, holding the Orange and Blue to just seven points in the final frame. The two teams traded the lead throughout regulation, and the Illini took a two-point advantage with 2:11 to play. A pair of Eagle free throws with six seconds on the clock tied the game at 59 and sent the contest into overtime. The extra time marks the first time in school history that UI has played consecutive overtime games in a season.
The two teams traded free throws to start the overtime period and keep it a one-point game. Andrews knocked down two three-pointers to give Illinois its final advantage in the game. Wittinger was strong from the free throw line in overtime, knocking down 6-of-6 shots in the period. The Orange and Blue went 7-for-10 from the charity stripe to close out the game and secure the victory.
The Orange and Blue shot 80-percent from the free throw line on Saturday, knocking down 20-of-25 shots. Five Illini were perfect from the line, led by Wittinger and Shewan's performances. The Illini outrebounded EMU, 49-41, led by Wittinger's 11 boards.
NEXT UP
The Illini will host Indiana State on December 5 at 7 p.m. The Orange and Blue are 3-6 all-time against the Sycamores. The two teams last met on Dec. 7, 2017 in Champaign, with the Illini earning an 81-52 victory.
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GAME NOTES
- Illinois defeated Eastern Michigan 72-66 in Overtime on Saturday. With the win, the Illini now lead the all-time series 5-0
- This was the first time in program history Illinois has played back-to-back overtime games
- The Illini have had multiple overtime games now in 9 seasons:
2018-2019- 11/28/18: Clemson 69, Illinois 67: 12/1/18: Illinois 72, Eastern Michigan 66
2011-2012- 1/5/1: Iowa 69, Illinois 62; 1/26/12: Illinois 71, Michigan State 62
2009-2010- 11/13/09: Temple 82, Illinois 78; 3/22/10 Illinois 74, Marquette 72 Marquette (WNIT)
2001-2002- 12/8/01: Illinois 77, Pepperdine 71; 1/31/02: #22 Minnesota 79, Illinois 76
1998-1999- 1/5/99: Illinois 75, Michigan 65; 2/19/99: Wisconsin 82, Illinois 78
1996-1997- 11/23/96: Arkansas State 95, Illinois 89; 1/10/97: Illinois 89, Minnesota 85
1994-1995- 12/5/94: Illinois 82, Louisville 76; 2/12/95: Illinois 85, Indiana 79
1979-1980- 1/28/80: Purdue 73, Illinois 69; 2/8/80: Illinois 85, Purdue 76
1974-75- 1/23/75: Illinois 57, Eastern Illinois 51; 3/1/75: Southern Illinois 66, Illinois 56 (IAIAW Tournament)
- Junior Ali Andrews set season highs with 19 points and nine rebounds.
-Andrews shot 6-7 from the field and knocked down all four of her attempts from beyond the arc.
-In overtime, Andrews had seven of the team's 13 points, including two three-point field goals with less than a minute remaining
-Senior Alex Wittinger recorded her fourth double-double of the season, leading the team with 22 points and 11 rebounds
-Wittinger was perfect at the free throw line, converting all six attempts.
- Sarah Shewan finished the game in double-digit scoring figures with 12 points. Shewan was also perfect at the free throw line, making all six attempts.
-Freshman Arieal Scott made her first career start against Eastern Michigan
