Indiana University Athletics
Illinois Downs IU (1-2-03)
1/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
January 2, 2003
Hoosiers Lose Heartbreaker in Big Ten Season Opener
|
|
Champaign, Ill. - The Indiana women’s basketball team fell to Illinois in its Big Ten season opener, 63-58. The Hoosiers drop to 7-4, 0-1 in the Big Ten, as Illinois extends its record to 9-2, 1-0 in conference play.
"I feel like we gave up way too many looks from the three-point line down the stretch," Head Coach Kathi Bennett said. "Our energy has to get better. Our shots were good, but they weren’t falling.”
Jenny DeMuth led the Hoosiers in scoring with 17 points, shooting a career-high three for four from behind the arc. All of DeMuth’s treys came before the 12:16 mark of the first half, as she recorded the first nine Hoosier points.
“Jenny’s three three-pointers early really got us going,” Bennett said. “We did well executing our game plan and keeping them in check. We just weren’t ready to contest shots and just be there.”
Lisa Eckart turned out a solid performance for the Hoosiers, chipping in 10 points and adding seven rebounds.
Cindy Dallas led Illinois with a double-double, 15 points and 16 rebounds, as teammate Jere Issenmann recorded 14 points.
The Illini came out strong, going on an 11-3 run. The Hoosiers fought back, holding Illinois to a 5:53 scoring drought, contributing to their 20-4 run. IU finished the first half with a 30-11 run, despite Angla Hawkins, IU’s leading rebounder for the season, having to leave the game due to foul trouble. The Hoosiers headed into intermission with a 33-22 lead. DeMuth entered halftime with 14 of her 17 points.
Illinois slowly crept back into the game, bringing the Hoosier lead to three with just 2:59 remaining in the contest. For the next two minutes Indiana sent Illlinois to the foul line three times. The Illini were able to convert on all six of their attempts, tying the game at 56.
With just 39 seconds remaining on the clock, Jere Issenmann scored her fourth three-pointer of the game, giving the Illini its first lead since 11:28 in the first half. The Hoosiers hustled back down the court as Jamie Gathing put in a basket off of a rebound, bringing the game to 59-58. With 20 seconds left, Indiana was forced to foul, putting Issenmann on the line. Issenmann hit both attempts, bringing the lead back to three. The Hoosiers had one final attempt as Cyndi Valentin (eight points, five rebounds) missed a three-pointer, giving Illinois an opportunity for a fast break layup, putting the game to rest at 63-58.
The Illini shot 18-of-21 from the foul line, as the Hoosiers were only able to convert on 5-of-13.
The Hoosiers return home to face Big Ten foe Northwestern on Jan. 9. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballThursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12