Michigan State University
Illinois
Women's Basketball Falls To Illinois, 72-66
1/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 13, 2002
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Michigan State women's basketball put up a fight, but couldn't convert down the stretch as Illinois captured a 72-66 victory over Illinois on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 13) in Champaign. With the win, Illinois improved to 11-4 overall, 4-1 in Big Ten play, while Michigan State dropped to 10-6 overall, 0-5 in the Big Ten.
"We gained confidence early in the second half," said MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "But we must do a better job of trusting each other down the stretch and not start rushing. It is all part of the maturity process."
MSU opened the second half on a 9-1 run to take a 38-37 lead. The teams traded baskets as Syreeta Bromfield converted on a fastbreak to keep MSU down by 2 (49-47) with 12:33 to play. However, Illinois would answer the call on a three-point play by Iveta Marcauskaite to take a four-point lead (51-47).
The Illini would slowly built a six-point advantage, but the Spartans continued to fight. Julie Pagel would answer the call for the Spartans with four-straight points and a three-point basket by Maria Recker pulled MSU within three (60-57).
After an Illini basket, a three-point field goal by Maria Recker pulled MSU within two (62-60). MSU made another defensive stand and the score would even at 62. Freshman guard Kristin Haynie hit a three-point basket to give MSU a 66-65 lead with 4:19 remaining. However, the Illini closed the game on a 6-1 run in posting the 72-66 victory.
Early in the game, it looked as if Illinois was going to walk away with an easy victory. A seven-minute scoring drought in the first half almost spelled doom for the Spartans. With the score even at 6 all, Illinois went on a 10-0 run to take a 16-6 lead. Candice Jackson finally broke the MSU drought with a layup at the 10:33 mark.
The Spartans turned it up after the Jackson layup. MSU pulled to within three (27-24) on four straight points by Julie Pagel. The Spartans went into the half trailing by just seven (36-29) as Kelli Roehrig added 10 first half points to pace MSU.
"We had some very good play from some players," commented McCallie. "We have to look at the positives and the outcome will happen when we take the additional steps."
Sophomore forward Julie Pagel paced the Spartans with a season-best 18 points, while freshman center Kelli Roehrig added 10. Maria Recker, who made her first start of the season, added 10 points.
Illinois was led by Iveta Marcauskaite with 21 points and eight rebounds. Shavonna Hunter added 15 points and Cindy Dallas, 10.
The Spartans return to the road, heading to Ohio State this Thursday (Jan. 17), at 7 p.m.
Spartan Notebook
Junior forward Maria Recker made her first start of the season against Illinois. She finished with a season-best 10 points.
Sophomore forward Julie Pagel finished with a season-best 18 points.
Freshman center Kelli Roehrig recorded her fourth-straight game in double figures with 16 points.
The Spartans are still looking for their first Big Ten Conference victory.
