CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball closed its regular season home slate on Sunday, falling to Penn State, 76-65. Illinois honored its senior class prior to the contest, recognizing seniors Alex Wittinger, Jaelyne Kirkpatrick and Sarah Shewan. Wittinger closed the game with a team-leading 12 points and eight rebounds for the Illini, and was among three players to finish in double-figures on the night. Junior Brandi Beasley and freshman Arieal Scott tallied 10 points each for Illinois. The Illini move to 10-18 on the season and 2-15 in Big Ten play.
The Lady Lions pulled out to a fast start inside State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon, but Illinois was just as quick to respond in the opening frame. Despite an early Penn State lead, juniors Courtney Joens and Brandi Beasley combined for five-straight points to give the Illini a lead of their own. Penn State capitalized from three-point range in the first quarter, however, making 6-of-9 from distance to take a lead into the second quarter.
The Orange and Blue continued to fight as the two teams traded buckets through the second quarter. Illinois outscored Penn State, 15-13 in the second frame to cut into the Lady Lion lead. Nine different Illini contributed to UI's scoring in the first half, led by Wittinger's six points. Scott and redshirt junior Cierra Rice added five points each as well.
The Illini held Penn State to just one offensive rebound in the first half, while also forcing nine turnovers. The Lady Lions took advantage of Illinois' turnovers, however, scoring 10 points off of Illini miscues before the break. Both teams grabbed 13 first-half rebounds, also recording five steals each.
Wittinger put the Illini on the board to start the second half, and Illinois worked to chip away at the Lady Lion lead. Junior Ali Andrews netted a three-pointer in the middle of the frame to help Illinois pick up the momentum and start a 9-4 Illini run. Penn State pushed back, however, using a 9-0 run to extend their lead before the final frame. Wittinger led the Illini with 10 points before the fourth quarter, while both Rice and Scott contributed eight points apiece before the final period.
UI continued to push back at Penn State in the fourth quarter, going on a 12-0 run to close the gap. Beasley posted six-straight points for Illinois in that span, and finished with 10 points on the night. Freshman J-Naya Ephraim was also a major contributor in Illinois' fourth quarter, netting five of her seven points before the final buzzer. Despite holding Penn State without a three-pointer in the fourth quarter and a strong final push, the Lady Lions earned the win on Illinois' senior day.
The Illini tallied 10 second chance points on Sunday evening, and held Penn State to just five offensive rebounds. The Illini combined for six steals and forced 15 Lady Lion turnovers. Wittinger led Illinois with eight rebounds on the night, also adding two steals, while Scott and junior Courtney Joens also added two steals each. Shewan finished with two points in her senior day appearance.
"I think you could feel the love up here and how much passion there is for each other, for this team, and for winning," head coach Nancy Fahey said of senior day. "When you see that much caring and 'hurt', it's a sign of how tight this team is and the love they have for each other."
NEXT UP
Illinois will travel to Maryland for a 1 p.m. CT matchup against the Terrapins on March 2.
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