PREVIEW
Illinois (6-2) returns to State Farm Center on Tuesday following just its second loss of the season, an 85-60 decision at North Carolina last Thursday. The Illini were led by senior Brandi Beasley with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting in her best game of the season. Beasley scored 11 points in the first half, including her first three three-pointers of the year.Â
Redshirt junior guard Petra Holešínská leads the Orange and Blue in scoring at 14.6 points per game, thanks in part to a Big Ten-leading .462 three-point shooting percentage. Freshman forward Kennedi Myles is eighth nationally among freshmen in rebounding at 8.9 per game and has recorded three double-doubles in her young career.
Merrimack (5-3) comes to Champaign in its first season at the Division I level. The Warriors are 2-3 against Division I opponents this season. Senior forward Denia Davis-Stewart enters Tuesday's game averaging 16.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.4 blocks per game.
Tuesday's game will be broadcast on BTN Plus, and fans can listen in on WDWS AM-1400.Â
UP NEXT
Illinois hosts Evansville on Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m. CT at State Farm Center
NOTES
• Illinois and Merrimack meet for the first time ever.
• Illinois is second in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage (.383).
• Illinois is tied for fourth in the Big Ten in steals (10.4 per game).
• Freshman Kennedi Myles is tied for second in the Big Ten and first among Big Ten freshmen in rebounding (8.9 rpg).
• Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská leads the Big Ten with a .462 three-point shooting percentage. She is tied for 8th in Illinois history with 114 career three-pointers made.
• Senior Brandi Beasley is tied for fourth in Illinois history with 391 career assists.Â
• 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. Myles and Peebles have started every game, while Terry leads all bench players in minutes per game.
• Head coach Nancy Fahey ranks 11th among NCAA active head coaches in career victories (762).
THEÂ 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.Â
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.
