MADISON, Wisconsin – Fighting Illini junior Ali Andrews netted a season-high five three-pointers on Thursday evening at the Kohl Center, and combined with junior Brandi Beasley for 40 points on the night. Despite using multiple scoring weapons on the court, the Illini couldn't hold off the Wisconsin Badgers on their home turf, falling 75-67. Eight different Illini contributed to Illinois' scoring on Thursday, with three finishing in double-figures. Beasley led Illinois with 21 points and Andrews added 19 of her own. Senior Alex Wittinger tallied 10 points for the Illini while also racking up 11 rebounds to earn her ninth double-double of the season. The Orange and Blue move to 10-17 on the season and 2-14 in Big Ten play.
"I thought Wisconsin came out with a different game plan and they were really aggressive with us," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "They put us on our heels a little bit. I thought we made some good runs back at them, and we made a good surge at the end, but we need to be able to do that more consistently and not be on our heels."
Illinois and Wisconsin set out to battle right from the start on Wednesday evening. The home team took a five-point lead from the start, but Illinois quickly responded to tie the game at 10 midway through the first quarter. The Badgers worked to take back the advantage, but Illinois used a balanced attack to stay close. Six different players contributed to UI's 16 first-quarter points, led by Wittinger who tallied four points and grabbed three rebounds in the first frame. The Illini forced five Badger turnovers in the first quarter, as the two teams were locked at 16 heading into the second stanza.
The two teams traded buckets to start the second quarter and keep the game close. Junior Ali Andrews knocked down a three-pointer for the Orange and Blue midway through the frame to put Illinois in the lead. The home team responded with a three-pointer of its own, as both teams continued to pressure before the halftime break. The Badgers used a 7-0 run to end the first half, however, taking a 36-29 advantage into the halftime break.
Both teams shot 48-percent in the first half of play, but Illinois used three-pointers to its advantage, using four treys to keep the game close. The Illini scored 11 points off of Badger turnovers, and Wittinger tallied the game's only first-half blocked shot.
The Illini came out of the break ready to play as redshirt junior Cierra Rice and Andrews combined for five-straight points to start the half. Illinois continued to fight, cutting into Wisconsin's lead to make it a one-possession game. The Badgers picked up the pace on defense, however, while using a 9-0 run to extend their lead in the quarter. Andrews put a stop to the Badger run with her fourth three-pointer of the night, she was 4-for-5 from distance and led Illinois with 12 points heading into the fourth quarter.
Illinois picked up the momentum in the final frame, using a 7-0 run to come within seven points of the Badgers midway through the frame. Wisconsin responded to the Illini run with one of their own, however, to again pull away from the Illini late in the contest. Andrews added another three-pointers for Illinois in the fourth quarter to set a new season-best with five three-pointers made. Beasley was a major contributor in the final frame, adding 13 points to her tally to earn her third 20-point game of the year.
The Illini scored 22 points off of Badger turnover Thursday night, forcing 17 Wisconsin miscues in the contest. The Illini combined for eight steals as a team, with Wittinger, Beasley and Rice each swiping two steals apiece. Wittinger also added three blocked shots overall, improving her career tally to 267.
NEXT UP
UI returns to State Farm Center on February 24 to host Penn State for Senior Day. The first 100 fans to arrive at the State Farm Center will receive free personal pizzas, and the Illini squad will stick around following the game for one final autograph session. Fans can receive free admission to Sunday's contest with their ticket stub from the February 23 men's basketball game against Penn State.
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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.
