PREVIEW
Illinois (8-2) heads to Mizzou Arena to take on Missouri (3-9) on Friday in its final nonconference game of the season. The Illini are off to an 8-2 start through 10 games for the second straight season.
The Orange and Blue are coming off a 75-72 win over Evansville on Sunday in which Kennedi Myles broke a 43-year-old freshman record by pulling down 20 rebounds. Redshirt-junior guard Petra Holešínská led the offensive attack with 25 points, including seven made threes, the second-highest single-game total in program history.
Holešínská leads Illinois in scoring at 15.0 points per game, thanks in part to a .464 three-point shooting percentage that ranks third in the Big Ten. Myles is third nationally among freshmen in rebounding at 10.3 per game and has recorded four double-doubles in her young career.
Missouri has lost its last three games, most recently to Princeton on Wednesday by a score of 68-33. Senior guard Amber Smith leads the Tigers in scoring and rebounding at 14.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Sunday's game will be broadcast on the SEC Network, and fans can listen in on WDWS AM-1400.
UP NEXT
Illinois returns home to start Big Ten play against Northwestern on December 28 at 2 p.m. CT.
NOTES
- A win Friday would improve Illinois' record to 9-2, which would be its best start to a season since 2006-07.
- Illinois is third in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage (.376).
- Illinois is fifth in the Big Ten in steals (10.3 per game).
- Freshman Kennedi Myles leads the Big Ten and third among Division I freshmen in rebounding (10.3 rpg).
- Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská is third in the Big Ten with a .464 three-point shooting percentage. She is 8th in Illinois history with 122 career three-pointers made.
- Senior Brandi Beasley is fourth in Illinois history with 398 career assists.
- Senior Ali Andrews ranks seventh in Illinois history with 127 career three-pointers made.
- Illinois has three freshmen - Myles, Jeanae Terry, and Jada Peebles - contributing major minutes. Those three have combined for 35% of the team's points, 35% of rebounds, 44% of assists and 58% of blocks.
- Head coach Nancy Fahey ranks 11th among NCAA active head coaches in career victories (764).
THE FAHEY ERA CONTINUES
The Illini are in their third season under the direction of head coach Nancy Fahey. In her first season at Illinois, Fahey coached the Orange and Blue to a 9-5 nonconference record in 2018-19, which marked the best start to the season since Illinois also earned nine non-conference victories in the 2014-15 campaign (9-3). Illinois won four of its last five games leading up to league play, with the streak marking the most consecutive victories for the Orange and Blue since the start of the 2015-16 season. Under Fahey's guidance, Illini junior Alex Wittinger garnered All-Big Ten Second Team honors, and also matched the school record for single-season offensive rebounds (125). Wittinger earned the program's second-ever triple double during the 2017-18 campaign, and set a new single-game record for blocked shots (11).
In her second season at the helm of the Illini, Fahey 's squad opened the year with a 7-0 record on Lou Henson Court for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The Orange and Blue opened the 2018-19 campaign with an 8-3 start in nonconference play, marking a .727 nonconference winning percentage. That number is the highest for an Illini squad since starting the 2014-15 campaign with a 9-5 nonconference record (.750). Fahey's squad has improved statistically in several categories under her leadership. The Orange and Blue averaged seven more points per game last season than in 2017-18, and improved their field goal percentage by more than four percent.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Beginning last season, fans attending events at State Farm Center will be permitted to carry one clear plastic or vinyl bag that does not exceed 12"x6"x12", or one clear drawstring bag not to exceed 12"x12", or one, one-gallon clear plastic or zip-lock bag. A small clutch no larger than 4.5" x 7" may also be carried in addition to one clear bag. Diaper bags (with child) and bags approved for medical needs will be permitted after search by security personnel. All other bags, backpacks, totes and coolers are strictly prohibited. To present a safe event for everyone, jackets may be searched upon entry. If prohibited items are found, the item will be confiscated OR the guest may personally return it to their vehicle or otherwise dispose of the item away from the facility. State Farm Center does not check or otherwise safeguard personal belongings. This bag policy is subject to change. Please check the event details for any additional specific event restrictions. Check here for more information.
TICKETS
Season and single-game tickets for the 2019-20 Fighting Illini women's basketball season are available now. Fans can renew, upgrade or purchase new season tickets online, at the Illinois ticket office located inside the West Main entrance of State Farm Center, or by phone at 1-866-ILLINI-1. General admission women's basketball season tickets are available for $40 each, while the combined women's basketball/volleyball season ticket is $80. Reserved season tickets in sections 101 and 109-113 are also available for $75. Floor seating, located behind the team benches (sections 10-12) is available for just $55 each. A limited number of courtside seats still remain for $100 each.
