Stacey White scored a career-high 13 points and led a second-half run for Illinois State, but Iveta Marcauskaite and her Illinois teammates had the answers when they needed them for a 75-57 win over the Redbirds Thursday at Assembly Hall.
Marcauskaite led, Illinois, 4-2, with 18 points., including 14 in the first half. Dawn Vana also had 18 to lead Illinois, now 4-2. the Illini shot 50 percent from the field, using their superior height and experience inside with the 6-4 Marcauskaite and 6-2 Dallas doing most of the damage.
Illinois State, 0-7, couldnt convert scoring opportunities and fell behind because of weak shooting even though the Redbirds handled the Illini full-court press throughout the first half. ISU had just 17 turnovers. The Redbirds battled back from a 32-15 first-half deficit, and after an 8-0 run to start the second half, sliced the lead to 41-35 with 16:11 left on Whites third basket of the half. A 20-2 Illini run in just four minutes gave Illinois a 61-37 edge, their biggest of the game.
Redbird coach
Jenny Yopp acknowledged that the run had a lot to do with it and her teams schedule of six games in 12 days had a lot to do with that run.
We were moving the ball well and getting good shots (when we closed the gap), said Yopp. But Illinois got some good second shots and we werent doing the things on offense that had worked for us and they went on that run. Then, once it started, I think the fatigue of six games in 12 days set in and we couldnt get some of our players who have played a lot of minutes the break they needed.
Kristi Larson had 11 ponts for the Redbirds and
Katie Donovan finished with nine points and 10 rebounds, narrowly missing her second double-double of the year. ISU had a 40-39 rebounding ed ge and had 18 offensive boards, six by the freshman Donovan. ISU also had 17 turnovers, just the second time this season the Birds have been under 23 miscues.
Yopp was pleased with many aspects of the Redbird game.
Our kids are trying hard and staying positive, said Yopp, whose team doesnt play again until Dec. 20. We have a foundation to build on here. Our young players have gotten a lot of experience against some fantastic competition. We have no major drama or issues on our team. We have a great attitude.
Yopp is pleased that Illinois coach Theresa Grentz has already agreed to continue the series with Illinois State.
Its a great opportunity to play our state rivals, said Yopp. Coach Grentz has been fantastic as far as looking down the road to continuing this rivarly. Its a great opportunity for our teams and our fans.
Illinois jumped out to a 7-2 lead partly because the Redbirds opened 1-9 from the field and missed five layups in those eight misses. Illinois led 14-9 after
Taren O'Briens two free throws with 12:53 left, but Illinois went on an 10-0 run fueled by back-to-back turnovers by the Redbirds, hwo had just two in the first nine minutes. The Illini eventually stretched that lead to 30-11 with 7;45 left
Illinois led by 17 into the final six minutes, but Illinois State trimmed that lead to 37-26 on the last of four straight White free throws with 1;11 left. Marcauskaite, who had 14 points at halftime, responded with back-to-back baskets inside to help the Illini lead to 41-27 at intermission.
It could have been much closer except for the Redbirds missed layups, missed free throws and late turnovers. Illinois shot 48.6 percent from the field and made 6-7 free throws, while ISU was just 9-30 from the field and 8-14 on the line. ISU made 15 of 22 for the game.
The Redbirds don't play again until Dec. 20 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Northern Illinois at Redbird Arena. Final examinations begin next week at Illinois State.
