Nov. 23, 2004

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - A 12-2 run halfway through the second half proved to be the difference as Illinois downed Saint Joseph's women's basketball team, 64-50, Tuesday at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

The Fighting Illini, clinging to a two point lead, 41-39, went on a 12-2 run, from 10:07 to 5:41, to take a commanding 55-41 lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Illinois' Jere Issenmann drained two three pointers and Tiffanie Guthrie capped the run with a layup.

Saint Joseph's would get no closer than 11 over the final five minutes, as the Fighting Illini made three of four free throws over the final 60 seconds.

In the first half, Issenmann drained a three in the opening possession, the Hawks went on an 7-0 run to take a 7-3 lead on a jump shot by junior guard Kelly Springman. Classmate Maura McBryan sparked Saint Joseph's with a three-point basket and 15-foot jump shot to start

The Fighting Illini clawed back within one, 13-12, using a 7-2 run from 11:52 to 8:37. Senior Angleina Williams accounted for five points of Illinois' seven points and was credited with an assist on a basket by Danyel Crutcher.

The Hawks opened their biggest lead, 22-16, on a layup by sophomore guard Whitney Ffrench with just under four minutes remaining.

From there, Williams led Illinois to a 10-2 run to take a 26-24 lead into halftime. Williams gave the Fighting Illini the lead on a three pointer from the near corner with two seconds remaining in the opening stanza and accounted for two assists and a block during the run.

Trailing by two at the half, Saint Joseph's found itself down seven, 36-29, just over three minutes into the second stanza. Redshirt freshman Erica Pollock helped the Hawks to an 8-3 run, to cut the deficit to 39-37. Pollock added four points, including a layup at 11:47 to bring the Hawks within two.

Pollock led the Hawks offense with a career-best 16 points and five rebounds. McBryan added 12 points, while junior Faith Schutte grabbed a team-best seven rebounds and four points.

Williams led all scorers with 22 points, while Issenmann added 15 on 5-of-6 from behind the arc.

With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls to 3-1 on the season, while Illinois improves to 2-0.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Friday versus Mississippi State in the opening round of the University of Maine's Dead River Classic. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.