UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – 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, including draining four three-pointers to move into fifth place all-time in program history with 151 career three-point field goals.
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.
The Illini (11-12, 2-10) had a hot start in Happy Valley as six points each from Holešínská and Myles propelled the visitors to the early 15-3 lead midway through the opening quarter. PSU battled back with a 10-0 run to come back and tie things up at 17-17. From there, the game saw three more ties before free-throws from Holešínská and Terry gave the Illini a 32-38 lead, before a Nittany Lion basket sent UI into the locker room with a 32-30 edge at halftime.
An 11-2 run in the third then gave the Illini a 47-38 advantage, but PSU answered back with a 14-4 run of its own in the fourth to take a 62-57 lead with just under four minutes to play. Three-pointers from Holešínská and senior Ali Andrews, combined with a pair of free-throws from senior Brandi Beasley gave the Illini a one-point edge at 65-64, before a Holešínská three-pointer again put UI ahead at 68-66 with a minute and 22 seconds left on the clock. A strong defensive stand and another pair of free-throws from Holešínská then sealed the 70-66 victory.
Illinois next return home to State Farm Center for a two-game homestand, first taking on No. 18/22 Indiana for Singles Appreciation Night on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 7 p.m. CT, before hosting Purdue for Senior Day on Sunday (Feb. 16) at 2 p.m. CT.
Team Notes
- Illinois moves to 11-12 on the season and 2-10 in Big Ten play.
- Illinois improves its record against Penn State to 16-38 and earns just its fourth-ever victory over Penn State in University Park.
- This is the first win over Penn State since a 91-76 win on January 4, 2015 in Bryce Jordan Center.
- The Illini forced 19 Nittany Lion turnovers and scored 16 points off of those miscues.
- The Illini converted on 18-of-25 free-throws for a 72.0 pecentage from the charity stripe.
- The Illini totaled 10 steals, with Myles, Terry, Holešínská and senior Brandi Beasley each stealing a pair on the day.
Individual Notes
- Redshirt-junior Petra Holešínská came within one point of her career high with a game-high 28 points on a 9-of-16 effort from the floor, including knocking down four three-pointers, while adding five rebounds.
- With her four three-point field goals in the contest, Holešínská moves into fifth place all-time in program history with 151 career 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 all-time with 144 career three-pointers and is just three treys away from tying Kyley Simmons for sixth place in program history with 149 threes. Andrews also added five rebounds and two blocks.
- Freshman Kennedi Myles was just one rebound short of a double-double with 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
- Freshman Jeanae Terry came within one point of her career-high with 11 points, while also leading all players with a career-high seven assists.
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