CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois rode a dominant first quarter to a 65-50 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday at State Farm Center. The Illini (4-1) shut out UAPB (0-3) through the first quarter of the game as they cruised to victory.
The Orange and Blue jumped out to a 21-0 lead before the Golden Lions recorded their first points of the game in the second quarter. The Illinois defense forced UAPB to miss its first 13 field goal attempts of the game, holding the visitors scoreless for the game's first 12:47. The first quarter featured 10 missed shots and eight turnovers by Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
"[UAPB does] a great job of dribble penetration, and they shoot the three," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "We told [our team] they would have to keep [UAPB] on the bubble, and I thought we did a great job and put a hand in the face. But you knew that wasn't going to hold because of how hard they work."
Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská led Illinois in scoring for the third straight game, putting up 19 points on five-of-10 shooting from the floor. Freshman Kennedi Myles recorded her second double-double in five career games with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Illinois continues its homestand Sunday when it hosts Bryant at 2 p.m. CT at the State Farm Center.
Highlights
Team Notes
- The first quarter of Thursday's game was the first-ever quarter in which the Illini had held an opponent scoreless.
- The Illini improved to 3-0 all-time against UAPB and 10-0 against current members of the SWAC.
- UAPB's 50 points and 19 field goals made were the fewest allowed by the Illini this season.
- Illinois had three players score in double figures for the fourth time in five games this season.
Individual Notes
- Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská passed Ivory Crawford for ninth in career three-point field goals made in Illini history, bringing her career total to 105.
- Freshman Kennedi Myles recorded her second career double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
- Holešínská was Illinois' leading scorer for the third straight game and fourth time in the first five games this season.
- Sophomore Mackenzie Blazek made her season debut Thursday, scoring two points and hauling in four rebounds.
- Holešínská's four steals were a season high.
