Empty Possessions: Bobcat Women Drop Game to Illini

Monday, December 19

Las Vegas, NV

1 p.m.

Montana State University

ILLINOIS

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

12/20/2011 12:58:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: Tom Schulz

A poor final four minutes of the opening half, coupled with a scoring drought to begin the second stanza gave Illinois the edge it needed as it posted a 68-56 win over Montana State, Monday afternoon at the Holiday Hoops Classic in South Point Arena.

Montana State (7-3) used the inside presence of Rachel Semansky and Chelsea Banis to build a six-point first half lead. MSU still held a one-point advantage at the 4:11 mark, but Illinois rattled off a 9-2 run to take a 31-25 advantage at intermission.

“Our kids are disappointed,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We had too many turnovers and empty possessions. We need to do a better job closing out the first half and beginning the second half.”

UI opened the final period taking an 11-point lead at the 14:30 mark. A Katie Bussey three-pointer, followed by four points apiece from Semansky and Ashley Albert pulled the Bobcats to within 47-43 with 10:49 remaining.

The Fighting Illini closed out the game on a 21-13 run and pushed its largest lead of the game to 12 points following a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer.

Semansky guided the Bobcats with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Albert also finished in double-digits with 11 points, while adding six boards.

Bussey, Montana State's top scoring was held in single-digits for the first time this season with nine points, but added seven rebounds and five assists.

For the game, MSU shot 38 percent from the field, while Illinois hit at a 42 percent clip. The Illini also held a slim 41-38 advantage under the boards.

Illinois was paced by Karisma Penn with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

MSU will play No. 12 Georgia, Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. (MST).