Illinois Drops Michigan State In Women's Hoops

Jan. 14, 2001

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State dropped its second consecutive Big Ten Conference contest, falling to Illinois 72-59 on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 14) at the Breslin Center. With the loss, MSU drops to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten, while Illinois improves to 9-8 overall and 4-1 in conference action.

Illinois opened the game on fire, going on a 19-5 run in the first 11:51. Aminata Yanni paced the Illini attack during the run, scoring eight points including back-to-back three-point field goals. Illinois held the Spartans without a field goal until the 16:09 mark of the first half.

Back-to-back three-point field goals by Vnemina Reese and Christie Pung pulled the Spartans within eight (21-13) with 6:00 minutes left in the half. MSU would cut the lead to three (27-24) on an Abby Salscheider driving layup. However, Illinois closed the half on an 11-2 run to take a 38-26 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Illinois continued to add to their lead in the second half, holding a 51-34 advantage on a Dawn Vana jumper with 13:20 left. Back-to-back baskets by Vnemina Reese (three-point field goal) and Julie Pagel (layup) helped pull the Spartans within 12 (51-39) with 12:00 minutes remaining. However, Illinois proved to be too much for the Spartans opening up a 20-point advantage (61-41) with 6:40 left and cruised to the win.

Aminata Yanni came off the Illinois bench to post a game-high 17 points. Allison Curtin (13 points) and Dawn Vana (12 points) were the other Fighting Illini in double figures.

Christie Pung and Reese led the Spartans with 11 points apiece. Reese also grabbed a career-best eight rebounds.

Michigan State heads to Purdue this Thursday (Jan. 18), for a 7 p.m. tip-off in West Lafayette. The MSU-Purdue game can be heard live on The Fan 730 AM - WVFN or at www.msuspartans.com.

Spartan Notebook

-- Erin Skelly earned her first start since Alabama (Dec. 10), while Christie Pung made her first start since the Virginia Tech contest (Nov. 25). MSU started its 10th different lineup against Illinois.

-- Julie Pagel posted her fourth straight game in double figures with 10 points.

-- Vnemina Reese grabbed a career-best eight rebounds.

--MSU, who leads the Big Ten in rebound margin +8.2 rebounds per game, was outrebounded for a second straight game by Illinois (32-31).