Bollant, Illini win exhibition opener
By: Aaron Bennett
Updated: October 30, 2012
Champaign, Ill. (UI Release) -- Senior Karisma Penn had 24 points and 16 rebounds and was one of three
Illinois players in double figures as Illinois defeated Marian
University, 89-37, in the first exhibition
game of the 2012-13 season. Sophomore Alexis Smith added 19 points, five
assists and four steals with just one turnover in her first collegiate
start at point guard. Redshirt junior Amber Moore tallied 12 points and
three assists.
New head coach
Matt Bollant promised to play aggressive defense and push the ball up
the floor and that's exactly what the 1,145 fans at Assembly Hall
witnessed. The Illini forced 40 Marian turnovers, 19
of them on steals. Penn alone had seven steals with Smith adding four,
and sophomore Ivory Crawford and freshman McKenzie Piper tallying three
apiece. Despite a fast-paced offense, the Illini turned the ball over
just 15 times on the night.
"I'm not sure we
will be +25 in turnover margin every night, but it's certainly our goal
to win that battle," Bollant said. "I was proud of how hard we played. I
think the fans enjoyed it."
Illinois never
trailed in the game, jumping to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes
with the Illini extending that margin to 45-15 by half. Illinois had
just eight healthy bodies on the bench and the top
seven each played between 22 and 32 minutes. Penn did her damage playing
just 24 minutes.
Illinois did a
great job of creating opportunities, taking 77 field goal attempts to
Marian's 46 and holding a significant edge in free throws attempted
(39-12) as well. Paced by Penn's 16, Crawford's nine
and Piper's eight rebounds, Illinois also held a 52-37 advantage on the
boards.
The fans were
focal and recognized the great play by the Illini point guard, Smith,
giving her a standing ovation when she left the game at the 4:26 mark.
"The night was
exciting," Smith said. "I still have some little things I need to work
on, but I really focused on pushing the ball up the floor and going hard
to the basket."
Illinois plays
one more exhibition game on Nov. 6 vs. Concordia (Illinois) before
opening the regular season on Nov. 11 vs. Evansville.
