CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball fell to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 71-60, on Wednesday evening at State Farm Center. The Orange and Blue were led by junior Courtney Joens who finished with 13 points and matched her career-high with three steals. Junior Ali Andrews also finished in double-figures with 10 points on the night. Junior Brandi Beasley dished a season-high 10 assists, and senior Alex Wittinger snatched a season-best five steals as well. Illinois moves to 9-6 on the season and 1-4 in Big Ten play.
"I was very proud of our team's fight back in the second, third and fourth quarters," said head coach Nancy Fahey. "We really identified that first quarter as one that put us behind, and then we kept fighting the rest of the way. But, we have to learn to start the game the way we play the whole game, and that really hurt us from the start."
Beasley started the scoring for the Illini on Wednesday evening as the Orange and Blue pulled ahead early on. The Scarlet Knights were hot to start, however, going on a 23-0 run to pull ahead before the second frame. Graduate transfer Sarah Shewan ended the first quarter with a three-pointer for Illinois to help swing the momentum in UI's favor.
The Orange and Blue outscored Rutgers 18-16 in the second frame to cut into the Scarlet Knights' advantage. Illinois forced seven Rutgers turnovers in the second quarter, as junior Courtney Joens and senior Alex Wittinger combined for five steals in the period. Joens knocked down two three-pointers for the Illini to help chip away at the visitor lead, and Andrews contributed five points in the frame as well.
Illinois trailed Rutgers 44-29 at the halftime break, but the Orange and Blue tallied 15 first-half points off of nine Rutgers turnovers. The Illini shot 50-percent in the second stanza, and had racked up six steals before the break.
Andrews started the second half with a three-pointer for Illinois, as UI worked to cut into Rutgers' lead. She led Illinois with another five points in the quarter. Illinois forced three Scarlet Knight turnovers in the third period, and scored three points off of those miscues.
After closing the third period with a three-pointer, freshman Arieal Scott knocked down another trey to start the fourth frame. Illinois and Rutgers traded baskets to start the period, but UI used an 8-0 run in the quarter to cut its deficit to single-digits. The Orange and Blue outscored Rutgers 19-12 in the fourth quarter, fighting to the final buzzer.
The Illini did not commit a turnover in the second half of play on Wednesday evening, and capitalized with 22 points off of Rutgers turnovers.
NEXT UP
Illinois will travel to Penn State for a weekend contest on January 12. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT inside the Bryce Jordan Center. Fans can watch the live stream on BTN Plus or listen in on WDWS AM-1400. UI returns to the State Farm Center on January 17 to host Nebraska at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW THE ILLINI
Keep up with the Fighting Illini Women's Basketball squad on social media for an even more inside look at the program. Follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GAME NOTES
-The Illini tied a season-best by scoring 22 points off turnovers. The last time Illinois reached this mark was in its season opener against Alabama A&M on Nov. 7, 2018.
- Illinois did not commit any turnovers in the second half of play
- Junior Courtney Joens led the Illini in scoring with 13 points off the bench.
- Joens tied a career-best by recording three steals in the contest.
- Freshman Brandi Beasley tied a season-high dishing out 10 assists
- Senior Alex Wittinger swiped a season-best five steals against Rutgers
