PREVIEW
Illinois returns home to State Farm Center for a two-game homestand, first taking on No. 20/22 Indiana for Singles Appreciation Night on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 7 p.m. CT.
The Illini own a 11-12 overall record on the season after finishing off the nonconference portion of their schedule with a 9-2 record, marking the best 11-game start for Illinois since the 2006-07 season. Behind a game-high 28 points from redshirt-junior Petra Holešínská, the Illinois women's basketball team toughed out a 70-66 win over Penn State in Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday (Feb. 9). It was the first win over the Nittany Lions since 2015 and just the fourth-ever program victory for the Illini in University Park. Holešínská turned in a 9-for-16 effort from the field. Joining her in double figures was freshman Kennedi Myles, who came within one rebound of a double-double with 14 points and a game-high nine boards, while classmate Jeanae Terry added 11 points and a career- and game-high seven assists in the win.
No. 20 Indiana owns a 19-6 record and sits fourth in the Big Ten with a 9-4 mark after posting a 57-53 win at Nebraska in its last outing on Sunday. The Hoosiers have four players averaging double-digit points, led by Ali Patberg with 13.6 per game to go along with 5.3 assists per game, while Aleksa Gulbe leads the way on the boards with 5.8 rebounds per game. As a team, the Hoosiers are averaging 73.0 points per game on a .466 shooting percentage, while holding their opponents to 58.3 points per contest.
UP NEXT
Illinois continues its two-game homestand as it hosts Purdue for Senior Day on Sunday (Feb. 16) at 2 p.m. CT in State Farm Center.
NOTES
- Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská ranks 12th in the conference with 14.3 points per game and sits third the Big Ten with a .433 three-point shooting percentage.
- Holešínská recently moved into fifth all-time in program history after draining four three-pointers in the win at Penn State to move her career total to 151 three-pointers. Mandy Cunningham (1990-94) is sits next in Holešínská's path and is in fourth place with 168 treys. Senior Ali Andrews sits in seventh place with 144 career treys.
- Holešínská also ranks fifth in the B1G with a .776 free-throw percentage.
- Freshman Kennedi Myles ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 8.7 rebounds per game, sixth-most among all Division I true freshmen, while also sitting tied for fourth with 2.0 steals per game in the Big Ten.
- Myles' six double-doubles ties a Illinois freshman record for double-doubles in a season.
- Senior Brandi Beasley is fourth in Illinois history with 425 career assists.
- Illinois has three freshmen - Myles, Jeanae Terry, and Jada Peebles - contributing major minutes. Those three have combined for 31% of the Illini's points, 36% of their rebounds, 45% of the team's assists, 47% of steals and 49% of blocks.
- The Illini finished the nonconference with a 9-2 record, the best start to a season since 2006-07.
- Head coach Nancy Fahey ranks 12th among NCAA active head coaches in career victories (767).
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.
