CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Behind a game-high 28 points from redshirt-junior Petra Holešínská, the Illinois women's basketball team earned its first Big Ten Conference win of the season in a gritty 74-71 victory over Minnesota on Sunday (Jan. 12) in State Farm Center.
Holešínská went 9-of-15 from the field, including three three-pointers that moved her into sole possession of sixth place with 135 career three-pointers, while also notching a 7-of-9 mark from the free-throw line. Joining her in double figures were senior Brandi Beasley with 12 points – to go along with three steals - and freshman Kennedi Myles with 10 points.
"I was really proud of the team today," said head coach Nancy Fahey. "It was a tough battle. Kids came up and made some plays at the end defensively. The best part of it was the locker room afterwards it because these kids have worked hard. They've had some tough games and now it is nice to pick up a win."
Myles and sophomore J-Naya Ephraim each pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, while as a team, the Illini (10-6, 1-4) outrebounded the Gophers (11-5, 1-4), 40-39.
Freshman Jeanae Terry and sophomore Mackenzie Blazek each handed out three assists on the day, with Blazek also swatting two blocks.
It was a strong start with Blazek scoring six of the first eight Illini points as the home team grabbed a 19-16 lead to end the first quarter. In a tight second period that saw the Gophers tie things up at 30-30, the Illini responded with a 6-2 run to head into the break with a 36-32 advantage.
The Illini jumped out of the gate to start the second half as a Blazek bucket combined with a Beasley three pushed the edge to 41-32. UM fought back and twice closed its deficit to one, but a Holešínská three-point play at the end of the third sent the Illini into the final quarter with a 53-49 lead. UI continued its strong play as an 8-1 run midway through the fourth gave the home team its largest lead of the afternoon at 68-56, but the Gophers clawed back with a 15-4 run of their own to cut the edge to one at 72-71. After a missed Illini field goal attempt, the Gophers had an opportunity to take the lead, but a stingy Illini defense held tough as Beasley stole the ball on an inbounds pass and converted on two free-throws for the 74-71 advantage. With 11 seconds left on the clock, the Gophers missed its last-effort three-pointer as a Terry rebound sealed the victory.
Illinois next heads on the road, first traveling to West Lafayette, Ind., for a 6 p.m. CT game at Purdue on Thursday (Jan. 16), before taking on Ohio State on Sunday (Jan. 19) at 1 p.m. CT in Columbus, Ohio.
Team Notes
- Illinois improves to 10-6 on the season and 1-4 in the Big Ten on the season.
- With their second-straight win over Minnesota, the Illini move to 38-29 all-time against the Gophers.
- Illinois earned its first Big Ten win of the season over Minnesota for the second straight year.
- As a team the Illini out-rebounded Minnesota, 40-39
- The Illini scored 38 points in the paint, which ties their season-high and was the most the Illini have scored in Big Ten play.
- Illinois was 11-of-15 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, led by Petra Holesinska's 6-of-8 effort from the charity stripe.
- The Illini move to 8-0 on the season when leading at halftime.
- The Illini debuted their gray uniforms against the Gophers on Sunday.
Individual Notes
- Redshirt-junior Petra Holešínská led the way for the Illini scoring with 28 points, coming within one point of her career-high (29 points vs. Chicago State on Nov. 5) and tying a career-high with nine made field goals.
- With three three-pointers in the game, Holešínská moves into sole possession of sixth place with 135 career treys, passing Melissa Parker (1996-00) with 133 threes. The redshirt-junior is now 14 threes away from moving into a tie with Kyley Simmons (2015-16) with 149 treys.
- Sophomore J-Naya Ephraim and freshman Kennedi Myles led the team in rebounding with seven boards each
- Senior Brandi Beasley's three steals tied a season high.
- Sophomore Mackenzie Blazek earned her first start of the season and fourth-career start in the Orange and Blue.
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