UI Women Live

FINAL: Illinois 77, Central Michigan 59

CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois center Jenna Smith had 31 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Illini women's basketball team past Central Michigan 77-59 on Wednesday at the Assembly Hall.

The Illini opened a 23-point halftime lead and were not threatened in the second half.

Karisma Penn added 18 points and nine rebounds and Macie Blinn added some three-point flair, scoring 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.

Senior Lacey Simpson contributed 11 assists and a career-high 16 rebounds. She finished with two points, her lowest total since midway through her sophomore season.

The Illini (2-1) play host to Bradley at 1 p.m. Sunday.

HALFTIME: ILLINOIS 46, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 23

Illinois figured to have an advantage inside agianst the shorter and lankier Central Michigan Chippewas. Nothing that happened in the first half made anyone think differently.

Post players Jenna Smith and Karisma Penn split Illinois' first 20 points and the Illini rolled to a big early lead. Smith collected 17 of Illinois' first 35 points as the Illini surged to an 18-point cushion with 4:30 remaining. 

The Illini have lived on the offensive glass, though converting them into points was another matter. 

Penn had 12 points and five rebounds. The Illini struggled against the CMU zone, missing their first eight shots from beyond the three-point arc, but many times they were able to gather the rebounds from those misses. Then Macie Blinn got hot, hitting all three of her attempts from three-point range.

The Illini forced 15 CMU turnovers.

PREGAME:

And so we begin tonight's episode of "The Young and the Restless".....

In case you missed the report elsewhere on this site, freshman Destiny Williams is on what Jolette Law called "an indefinite leave of absence." Her statement: "She is still attending classes and is a part of the Illini family, however, she won't be participating in team activities while dealing with some personal issues. Right now, my main focus is on the team as a whole and on moving forward with the games that we have in front of us."

If she's in the building right now, she's disguised as an empty seat.

In any event, you can now officially shorten the UI roster from 14 to 12, including the season-long injury sustained by freshman guard Amber Moore. I can hear the auctioneer in the background ... "Gimme 12! 12! Do I hear 11? Do I have 11? Gimme 11!" 

--My weekly chat on IlliniHQ will start this Friday at 1 p.m. You can submit questions anytime by clicking here. Follow my updates on Twitter here. 

--As for tonight's game.... I'm abnormally stoked for this one. Expecting a competitive, entertaining 40 minutes. Central Michigan plays a fullcourt, fast-paced, three-point style of play, and they're solid. They were within six points of No. 17 DePaul with 4:17 to play on Saturday. If the Illini aren't ready to play, they'll get beat.

(The Chippewas are picked fourth in the MAC West this season, which would have been higher had 6-foot guard Brandie Baker, the MAC's Freshman of the Year last season, not suffered a season-ending injury during preseason workouts.)

On that note, it would behoove the Illini to play a halfcourt game tonight because they have a major edge inside in terms of size and bulk. Jenna Smith should have a big game, and Karisma Penn might, too. 

--Curious about CMU's use of the nickname "Chippewas?" The school, much like Illinois, has phased out its Native American imagery. But the nickname stays.

Here's the company line, courtesy of the CMU sports information department: "The Central Michigan University Board of Trustees has approved the continued use of the nickname Chippewas in assocation with CMU. The university's goals are to use the name with honor and respect, increase supportive connections between CMU and Native Americans, and improve efforts to sensitize students, faculty, and staff to Native American traditions and cultures.

"Media representatives have been extremely cooperative as we have worked to address this important issue. In nearly all cases, print and broadcast reporters have supported CMU's efforts to eliminate the use of symbols, headlines, and copy that present inappropriate and inaccurate images of Native Americans.

"Central MIchigan University is grateful for your help, and we ask for your continued cooperation and sensitivity. With your assistance, we can continue to use the Chippewa name with dignity and respect."

 

 

Comments

Add a Comment