Michigan State University
Illinois
Women's Basketball Falls To Illinois, 52-50
2/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2001
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Close, oh so close. The Michigan State women's basketball team came within two points of upsetting Illinois before falling 52-50 on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 18) at Assembly Hall. With the win, Illinois improves to 13-13 overall, 8-6 in the Big Ten, while Michigan State drops to 9-16 overall, 3-11 in conference action.
The first half was a seesaw affair with both teams shooting over 40 percent from the floor. MSU opened up a six-point advantage (23-17) on a jumper by Julie Pagel with 4:52 to go. Illinois would go on a 7-0 run to take a 24-23 before MSU's Jennifer Callier answered with a jumper as the Spartans regained the one-point advantage (25-24). After an Illinois bucket, MSU's Jennifer Callier added her second straight basket to help the Spartans take a 27-26 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Spartans opened up the second half with an eight-point lead (40-32) on a jumper by Erin Skelly with 12:20 remaining in the game. With 6:57 to go in the game, the Spartans held a 44-36 lead, but l0 straight points by the Fighting Illini gave Illinois a two-point lead (46-44) with 4:31 remaining.
The Spartans would get tough and regain a two-point advantage (48-46) on back-to-back baskets by Julie Pagel. However, six straight free throws by Illinois gave the Fighting Illini a four-point lead (52-48) with just 24 seconds remaining. Donita Johnson scored MSU's final basket with just eight seconds remaining and the Spartans comeback rally fell just short.
Julie Pagel led Michigan State with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Vnemina Reese added 13 points. The Fighting Illini's Allison Curtin led all scorers with 25 points.
Michigan State returns to action Thursday (Feb. 22) when the Spartans travel to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes. The MSU-Iowa game can be heard live on The Fan 730 AM - WVFN or at www.msuspartans.com.
MSU Notebook -- Freshman forward Julie Pagel posted her 14th game in double-figures. She narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
-- MSU played without senior forward Becky Cummings, who missed her second straight game after reinjuring her foot against Indiana on Feb. 11.
