1/8- Fighting Illini Women Fall In Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Fighting Illini womens basketball team played another tough defensive game, but wasnt able to overcome a nine-point halftime deficit in a 52-44 loss to Michigan Thursday night at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. Illinois battled back in the second half to take two brief leads, but the Wolverines took control in the final 10 minutes to improve to 6-1 at home this season. Redshirt freshman Lydia McCully led a balanced Illini attack with 11 points. Trailing 23-14 at the break, Illinois went on a 13-3 run over the first 4:35 of the second half to take a 27-26 lead after lay-up by junior Jenna Smith. The Illini led again, 31-30, after a Chelsea Gordon bucket with 10:39 to play, but Michigan responded right back to take the lead both times. The Illini would get within three late, after a three-pointer by McCully pulled them within 39-36 with under six minutes left, but that as close as they would get. "We made a run to take the lead, but Michigan kept their composure down the stretch and kept making plays," Law said. "They looked to attack when it got tight and were able to get to the line." Michigan hit 14-of-21 from the free throw line, compared to 5-of-6 for the Illini. Defensively, Illinois (4-12, 0-5) stifled the Wolverine attack, holding the hosts to 37.8 percent shooting while forcing 17 turnovers, but the Illini shot just 33.3 percent themselves and turned the ball over 20 times. Illinois has yet to allow more than 54 points in conference play, but hasnt been able to muster a win. It was a frustrating night for Illini All-American Jenna Smith, who had just seven shot attempts, the lowest for her in a game since Feb. 22, 2007. With two or three Michigan defenders on her at nearly all times, she managed to hit four of those seven shots and finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. McCully hit 3-of-5 from behind the arc for her 11 points, while freshman Macie Blinn was the third Illini in double-figures with 10 points. Gordon also had a season-high with eight points. "I have to give a lot of credit to Michigan," Law said. "They defended Jenna (Smith) well and dared us to shoot from outside. At halftime, I told the team to attack and we started hitting some shots to get back in it" Illinois played solid defense in the first half, holding Michigan (9-6, 2-2) to 32.0 percent shooting, but still trailed 23-14 at the break after going the final 10:50 of the half without a field goal. The Illini shot just 21.7 percent before the break and had 12 turnovers. Blinn led the way with five points, while Smith had seven rebounds in the first half. The Illini return home for a pair of games next week against last years Big Ten co-champions. No. 17 Ohio State will travel to Champaign-Urbana on Monday, Jan. 12, and then Iowa will come to Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 15. Both games will tip-off at 7 p.m. CT.