ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Senior guard Brandi Beasley scored 21 points, and was one of four Illini to knock down multiple three-pointers, but the Illinois was unable to carry it's hot-shooting start into the second half, falling 80-59 to host Michigan on Wednesday (Feb. 19) at Crisler Center.
The Fighting Illini (11-15, 2-13) opened the game on fire offensively, shooting 68 percent in the first quarter, including 6-for-8 from three-point range, to jump out to a 28-24 advantage through the first period. Michigan (17-9, 8-7) momentarily took the its first lead late in the second quarter, but Beasley gave the Illini a 42-41 halftime lead as she raced the length of the court for a layup as time expired
Overall the Illini shot 57 percent (17-for-30) from the field in the first half, but Michigan took control of the game early in the third by opening the stanza on a 12-2 scoring run. The Illini hit just 1-of-4 field goal attempts during that stretch, and shot just 23 percent (6-for-26) in the second half as the Wolverines pulled away for the win.
Senior forward Ali Andrews joined Beasley in double-figures scoring for the Illini, notching 10 points including two three-pointers. Freshman forward Kennedi Myles led the Illini with nine rebounds in the contest
Michigan was led by senior guard Akienreh Johnson who tallied a game-high 22 points. Sophomores Amy Dilk and Naz Hillmon each scored 15 points; Hillmon also notched a double-double with 10 rebounds. Junior forward Hailey Brown also finished in double-figures scoring for Michigan with 14 points.
Next up, the Illini travel to Lincoln, Nebraska for a Sunday afternoon tilt with the Cornhuskers. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT from Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Team Notes
- Illinois jumped out to a 16-8 lead in the first 5 minutes of the contest.
- The Illini hit six of their first seven three-point attempts in the game as Ali Andrews, Petra Holešínská, and Jeanae Terry each connected on twice from distance in the early going. Brandi Beasley also knocked down multiple treys, hitting three of her own in a 21-point scoring effort.
- Illinois was outscored 12-2 to open the third quarter. Michigan used the run to overcome Illinois' 42-41 halftime lead.
Individual Notes
- Senior guard Brandi Beasley led Illinois in scoring for the 3rd time this season with 21 points. It was the first time that the senior guard paced the Illinois offense since Jan. 16 at Purdue, and her first 20-point game of the season.
- Senior forward Ali Andrews contributed to the Illini's hot start from beyond the arc, knocking down her her second three-pointers with 6:51 left in first quarter. It marked the 149th-career trey for the senior forward who moved into a tie with Kyley Simmons (2015-16) for sixth in program history. It marked the seventh time this season that Andrews has hit multiple three-pointers in a game.
- Redshirt junior guard Petra Holešínská knocked down multiple three-pointers for the 17th time this season, including the fifth time in her last six games.
- Freshman forward Kennedi Myles notched 9 rebounds. It marks her ninth game of the season with at least nine boards.
