CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WKOW) -- An 11-0 second half run
had Wisconsin within three points, but a basket by Illinois stopped the rally
and momentum as the Illini defeated the Badgers, 60-53, at Assembly Hall in
Champaign Monday night.
A jumper
by Morgan Paige just past the 14-minute mark in the second half sparked a
UW (11-15, 3-10) run that had the Badgers within three, 43-40, with 10 minutes
remaining in the game.
A bucket
in the paint by Illinois' Adrienne GodBold stopped the Badgers' run and returned
the momentum back to Illinois (15-9, 8-4). A quick 4-0 run by the Illini had
them back up by seven and back in control.
Wisconsin
fought to get the score within four, 47-43, but Illinois stepped on the gas and
used a 13-0 run to pull away and take a 17-point lead, 60-43, with three minutes
remaining in the game.
The
Badgers couldn't find an answer to Illinois' surge and one last 3-pointer
by Nicole Bauman made the final score 60-53 in favor of the
Illini.
UW's
troubles began in the first half where tough defense and cold shooting left the
Badgers 8-of-23 (34.8 percent) from the floor. Illinois forced
13 Wisconsin turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
While
Illinois' first half shooting performance wasn't any better (12-of-38, 31.6
percent) the more shot opportunities led to more baskets and a 31-22 halftime
lead.
Paige and
Bauman both ended the night with 14 points, while
Cassie Rochel chipped in 11 points and 12 rebounds, her fifth
double-double of the season.
Karisma
Penn netted a game-high 26 points and 14 rebounds and GodBold finished with 16
points.
Wisconsin
finished 19-of-51 (37.3 percent) from field goal range, shooting 5-of-24 (20.8
percent) from beyond the arch. Illinois posted a 31.8 field goal percentage
(21-of-66), going 4-of-18 (22.2 percent) from 3-point range.
Both teams
pulled down 39 rebounds, with the Badgers grabbing eight offensive and 31
defensive boards. Illinois pulled down 14 offensive and 25 defensive
boards.
The Illini
forced 27 UW turnovers on 17 steals, while Wisconsin forced 15 Illinois
turnovers on five steals.
The
Badgers continue their Illinois road trip with a visit to Evanston on Saturday
to face the Northwestern Wildcats at noon live on the Big Ten Network.
