Katie Donovan hit four three-pointers among her Illinois State team-high 18 points, but it wasn't enough to stop Cindy Dallas and Illinois from beating Illinois State 85-51 in a women's college basketball game at the United Center.
Dallas made all 10 of her field goals, scoring 21 points. She got help scoring and rebounding from Aminata Yanni, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Illini had a 57-31 rebounding edge and shot 22 free throws tojust 12 for Illinois State as the Redbirds were whistled for 20 fouls to just 11 for Illinois.
Redbird coach Robin Pingeton thought the rebounding made the difference for Illinois.
"We had a good gameplan and stuck to it (defensively)," said Pingeton, "but Illinois got too many second shos andwe sent them to the free throw line too many times. They are bigger, stronger and moe athletic than we are, so you have to give them credit."
Thanks to five early three-point field goals--three by Donovan--the Redbirds stayed close through the first 15 minutes. Back-to-back baskets by Beth Huston had ISU, 1-3, within 24-23 with 5:23 left in the half. But second-chance baskets by Janelle Hughes and Dallas were followed by steals-and-layups by Angelina Williams and Dallas, and Illinois led 32-23. ISU score only on a Jaci McCormack jumper in the final five minutes before halftime and Illinois, 2-3, took a 38-25 lead to the locker room.
Illinois came out i the second half and hit the Redbirds with a 25-7 run in the first eight minutes to get the game under control.
Although disapppointed with her team's third straight loss, Pingeton conceded that the Redbird had faced three tough opponents in succession.
"Western Michigan was in the NCAA Tournament last year, then Ball State, who was in the NIT and now Illinois," said Pingeton. "That was a tough stretch, but I truly think this team didn't quit playing hard. We have a lot of things to work on (beforenext week's game with Illinois-Chicago), but I'm enthused that this team will get better."
ISU scored 234 of its 51 points from three-point range, hitting 8 of 31 to Illinois' 3 for 8 beyond the arc. Illinois shot 46 percnet from the field to just 29 percent by the Redbirds.
Illinois State plays its next game at 2:05 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 against Illinois-Chicago.
