CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball opened the 2019-20 campaign on Tuesday morning, with a 96-66 victory over the Chicago State Cougars. Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská led all scorers with a career-high 29 points on the day, and freshman Kennedi Myles closed the contest with 17 points and 15 rebounds in her career debut. Four Illini scored in double-digits, including redshirt senior Cierra Rice (10) and senior Ali Andrews (10). The Orange and Blue move to 1-0 on the season and will prepare to host Holy Cross on Saturday.
"Great way to start off the season," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "I think that energy you're feeling from the court has been showing on the practice court for the last several months, so it's nice to see it transcend. This is a fun team to watch. Like any first game, we've got some things also that were exposed that we're going to get better at. But for these two, {Petra Holešínská and Kennedi Myles}, we had a double-double and Petra did a great job shooting the ball, but I think the dynamics of her court leadership is something we have to make sure we shout out because she does a great job of having that experience out there."
Illinois started the season on a strong note, going on a 14-0 run to start play on Tuesday morning. Holešínská knocked down the first points of the game for the Orange and Blue, and led all scorers with 12 points at the end of the first quarter. Freshman Kennedi Myles contributed four points in UI's opening run, and freshman Jeanae Terry scored her first career points in the first quarter as well.
The Orange and Blue led 28-9 heading into the second frame, and continued to build momentum at the State Farm Center. Holešínská added seven more points in the second quarter, going into halftime just two points shy of matching her previous career high of 21. Chicago State worked to cut into Illinois' lead before the break, but the Illini were tough on defense and forced 13 first-half turnovers.
UI held the Cougars to 23.5-percent shooting in the first half, owning a 48-26 advantage after one half of play. Illinois outrebounded Chicago State 30-16 in the first half, led by Myles who grabbed 11 boards to start the matchup. Eight different Illini contributed to UI's scoring to start the game, and seven grabbed at least one board before halftime.
Illinois continued to pressure Chicago State to start the second half, opening on a 13-6 run. The Cougars worked to cut into the Illini lead in the quarter, taking advantage from the charity stripe. The Cougars netted 12-of-12 free throws in the quarter. Holešínská continued to respond for UI, adding seven points in the frame, Myles also added another five points, as did Rice. Sophomore J-Naya Ephraim was also an important contributor in the third period as she netted all five of her points in the quarter. Ephraim added four rebounds and four assists on the day.
The Orange and Blue extended their lead in the fourth quarter, using a 12-0 run to pull into its largest lead of the game. Illinois forced 23 Chicago State turnovers on Tuesday, and scored 33 points off those miscues. In her Illini debut, Terry finished with a team-leading four blocks, also recording seven points and two rebounds. As a team, Illinois finished with 21 assists, led by Ephraim and freshman Jada Peebles who each dished four dimes.
NEXT UP
Illinois is back in action on Saturday, November 9, hosting Holy Cross in a 2 p.m. matchup. The game will mark Kids Club Day, featuring free Illini notebooks for All-American Kids Club members. Fans can purchase four tickets for Saturday's game for just $15. Tickets are available online, in person at the Illinois ticket office located inside the West Main entrance of State Farm Center, or by phone at 1-866-ILLINI-1.
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.
Team notes
- The Illini improved to 3-0 on Field Trip Day.
- Illinois won its third-straight season opener with Tuesday's 96-66 win over Chicago State.
- The Illini improved to 7-0 all-time vs. Chicago State.
- Head coach Nancy Fahey tied Philip Kahler for 17th all-time in career coaching wins with 757.
- The Illini improved to 28-18 all-time in season openers.
- Illinois' 28 first-quarter points is the most for the team in a quarter since December 28, 2018 when the team tallied 37 points in the third quarter against Indiana, and the most in a first quarter since scoring 33 against Tennessee State on November 24, 2015.
Individual Notes
- Jada Peebles and Kennedi Myles made their collegiate debuts and first career starts.
- Myles record a double-double in her collegiate debut with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
- Myles' 15 rebounds were the most by an Illini since Alex Wittinger grabbed 16 on February 13, 2018 against Ohio State.
- Petra Holešínská returned after missing all of 2018-19 with an injury and set a career high with 29 points, the most by an Illini in a season opener in the 21st century.
- Taylor Edwards made her collegiate basketball debut after a standout career with Illinois softball.
- Jeanae Terry made her collegiate debut, finishing with seven points and four blocks.
