CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - In a game that went down to the wire, Illinois defeated Merrimack 75-72 at State Farm Center on Tuesday. Freshman forward Kennedi Myles recorded her fourth career double-double with a career-high 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds.
The Warriors (5-4) took a brief lead 60-59 in the fourth quarter, but the Illini (6-2) gained some breathing room with a 9-0 run. Redshirt junior guard Petra Holešínská scored five points in the game's final 46 seconds to help put the victory on ice.
"I felt, as we went into the third and fourth quarter, that the defense really stood up and tried to make sure we contested shots," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "Obviously, the boards were extremely important in the inside play."
The Illini outrebounded Merrimack 52-31 and scored 23 second-chance points Tuesday.
Sophomore forward Mackenzie Blazek recorded a season-high 12 points Tuesday coming off the bench. Senior guard Brandi Beasley added 10 in her return to the starting lineup. Senior forward Ali Andrews grabbed 10 rebounds, while sophomore guard J-Naya Ephraim pulled down nine to go along with six assists and no turnovers.
The Illini return to action Sunday at 2 p.m. CT against Evansville.
Highlights
Team Notes
- Illinois is now 1-0 all-time against Merrimack, which is in its first year as a Division I program.
- Illinois' 20 offensive rebounds were a season high.
- The Illini's plus-16 offensive rebounding margin was their largest since at least the 2014-15 season.
- Illinois' plus-21 rebounding margin was its largest of the year.
- Illinois turned the ball over just seven times, its lowest total of the season.
- Illinois' 17-7 assist-to-turnover ratio was its best since posting a A/T of 18-7 on November 7, 2018 against Alabama A&M.
Individual Notes
- Freshman forward Kennedi Myles recorded her fourth double-double of the season, becoming just the fifth freshman in Division I to record at least four this season.
- Myles' 23 points were a career high.
- Senior guard Brandi Beasley made her first start of the season as Nancy Fahey made her first change to the starting five of the year.
- Redshirt junior guard Petra Holešínská took sole possession of eighth place in Illini history with her 115th career three-pointer with 5:58 left in the second quarter.
- Sophomore forward Mackenzie Blazek scored a season-high 12 points after entering the game having scored 11 all season.
Press Conference
