Illini Rally Falls Short vs. Dayton

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – The Fighting Illini women's basketball team dropped a 67-53 decision vs. the Dayton Flyers in the team's opening matchup of the Daytona Beach Invitational at the Ocean Center on Friday afternoon.  

Illinois (3-2) trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half thanks to a red-hot shooting performance from beyond the arc by the Flyers (4-2). UD led 22-14 after connecting on six three-pointers in the first quarter. The deficit reached 30-16 with 4:42 to play in the half, before momentum began to swing.

The Orange and Blue closed the half on a 14-2 run that included a pair of De'Myla Brown three-pointers, and Illinois went into the locker room trailing by just two points, 32-30. The Illinois surge continued out of the intermission with two Eva Rubin free-throws followed by a Sara Anastasieska layup that gave the Illini their first lead, 34-32, at the 8:31 mark of the third.

After a back-and-forth battle for the next few possessions, Brown sank a pair of free-throws at the 5:37 mark to tie the game, 38-38, but Dayton closed the quarter on a 14-4 run to push the Illinois deficit back to double-figures, 52-42, heading into the final period.

The Illini were unable to get closer than eight in the fourth quarter the flyers closed out the win.  

Next up, Illinois are back in action Saturday at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT for a matchup with Middle Tennessee to close out play at the Daytona Beach Invitational.

TEAM NOTES

• The Fighting Illini moved to 3-2 overall and 0-4 all-time in the series vs. Dayton.   
• Illinois' 14 turnovers marked a season-low total.
• Illinois was held to a season-low eight assists.
• Illinois shot a season-low 20-of-57 (.351) from the field.
• The Illini recorded a 29-8 edge in bench scoring.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Junior G De'Myla Brown led the team in scoring for the first time as an Illini, matching her career high with 12 points set earlier this season vs. Miami (OH).
• Brown's three three-pointers also marked a career-high, eclipsing the two triples she hit vs. SIUE.
• Junior F Kendall Bostic pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, the fourth time she has led the team in rebounding in her first five games as an Illini.
• Redshirt senior C Eva Rubin played a season-high 19 minutes, tallying five points, four rebounds and two blocks off the bench.
• Freshman G Adalia McKenzie played 21 minute off the bench, scoring eight points and adding six rebounds (three offensive).

POSTGAME INTERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS