FINAL: Illinois 85, Siena 53

CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois: offensive juggernaut?

CHAMPAIGN – If it all looks a bit foreign to Illinois women's basketball fans, that's OK. The important thing, at least for Lacey Simpson, is that this prolific offensive style shown off by the Illini these days isn't new to her or many of her teammates.

"It's what I'm used to, that fast tempo," Simpson said Sunday after the Illini beat Siena 85-53 at the Assembly Hall.

CHAMPAIGN – It didn't go exactly as she would have dreamed it up, but Allie Lindemann's return to Champaign offered some degree of satisfaction.

The former Champaign Central standout scored seven points for Siena on Sunday in an 85-53 loss to Illinois at the Assembly Hall. It was Lindemann's first appeArance on the floor since she was a pre-teen playing for a youth team at halftime of an Illinois game.

Game 2

Illinois women vs. Siena,

CHAMPAIGN – The Illini women's basketball team was shorthanded Sunday, and it might be that way for a while.

Freshman guard Amber Moore and freshman forward Destiny Williams didn't play in Sunday's victory against Siena for different reasons.

PHILADELPHIA – Illinois, behind a strong first half from senior Jenna Smith, had Temple on the ropes early, but the Owls won the teams' season opener in dramatic fashion Friday night.

Ron Zook's program might not make the postseason, but this Illini cheerleader is in the running for a national title. The spunky senior is the Big Ten's representative in Athlon Sports' Sideline Spirit contest. If she wins – you can vote today at athlonsports.com/spirit – the Atwood-Hammond High product will deliver money and prizes to her Illinois cheerleading team. Sports editor JIM ROSSOW caught up to the daughter of Sam and Vickie Anderson of Garrett to discuss the rigors of cheerleading, the Illini's chances of making a bowl game and this weekend's busy schedule.

Staff writer Tony Bleill breaks down Friday's season opener against Temple: