University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Illinois
GOPHER WOMEN'S BASKETBALL LOSES AT ILLINOIS
2/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Lindsay Whalen extended her streak of double-figure scoring efforts to 18 consecutive games and led Minnesota with 16 points. Ozlem Piroglu added 12 points and led the Golden Gophers with six assists, and Leslie Hill contributed a career-high 12 points. Illinois had six players in double figures, led by Anne O'Neil with 19 points.
The game was tied twice early, the last time at 6-6 with 17:22 in the first half. Illinois scored the next 14 points, keyed by two three- pointers by Allison Curtin, to take a 20-6 lead with 14:39 in the first half. Minnesota was able to narrow the lead to nine points twice, with the final time at 24-15 with 11:21 remaining in the period. Illinois, using 63% shooting in the first half, gradually built the lead for the remainder of the half, extending the advantage to as big as 23 points before ending the half with a 53-32 lead.
Illinois scored the first six points of the second half, but Minnesota responded with a 10-0, including two three-pointers from Lindsay Lieser, to cut the lead to 59-42 with 16:03 to play. The Gophers could get no closer for the remainder of the game, as Illinois went on an 18- 4 run to take a 77-46 lead with 11 minutes to play, and the lead hovered around the 30-point mark for the remainder of the game. Illinois broke the century mark in the final minute, becoming the first team to score 100 points against the Gophers since Feb. 21, 1997, when Michigan defeated Minnesota, 107-75.
Minnesota returns to the road Thursday to complete a three-game stretch away from the Sports Pavilion, taking on Ohio State at 7 p.m.
