Illinois Tops Marquette, 74-72, in Overtime

Monday, March 22

Champaign, Ill.

4:00 PM

Marquette University

Illinois

3/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

March 22, 2010

Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -Illinois outscored Marquette 10-8 in overtime to advance to the third round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament with a 74-72 victory over the Golden Eagles Monday afternoon at Assembly Hall. The Illini will play at Missouri State Thursday at 7 p.m.

Illinois scored the first five points of the overtime frame and never looked back. Lauren Thomas-Johnsonregistered three of MU's points in overtime, all from the free throw line, and Tatiyiana McMorrishit her fourth 3-pointer of the game to pull the Marquette within two, 74-72, with 43 seconds left.

The Golden Eagles had three players score in double figures led by McMorris with a career-high 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, including 4 of 5 from behind the arc. Sarina Simmonsfollowed with her first double-double of her career with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Angel Robinsonadded 12 points, which included the game-tying basket (62-62) with 28.4 seconds left in the game.

Jenna Smith led the Illini with 29 points and 14 rebounds. Lacey Smith and Adrienne GodBold followed with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

With the score tied 10-10 early in the first half, Illinois went on a 11-2 run over four minutes to go ahead 21-12 with 10:08 to play. The Illini pushed their lead to 31-22 with 3:20 left in the first, but Marquette scored the final 10 points of the first half to go into the intermission up by one point, 32-31.

Marquette had a balanced attack in the first with seven Golden Eagles contributing, led by McMorris with 10 points. Courtney Weibeladded six points including the 3-pointer that sparked MU's 10-0 run to close out the first half.

Out of the break, the Golden Eagles pushed their lead to five points with quick scores by Jessica Pachkoand Sarina Simmons. The two teams traded baskets until a 7-0 run brought the Illini within one point, 47-46. A three-point play by Smith after Lauren Thomas-Johnsonwas called for a foul gave Illinois its first lead of the second half, 51-49, with 10:15 to play.