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Illinois Downs Penn State, 58-49
March 5, 2009
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Jenna Smith scored 24 points and Lacey Simpson had an exceptional all-around game as Illinois defeated Penn State 58-49 Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Simpson had a career-high 19 points, along with 14 rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Fighting Illini (10-20). She became the school's all-time leader in steals. Tyra Grant, Penn State's all-conference guard, scored 16 points but shot 5-for-19 from the field. She also had four turnovers and went without an assist. Brianne O'Rourke scored 11 points, Mashea Williams added 10 and Evelyn Lewis had 15 rebounds for the Nittany Lions (11-18). Illinois had lost both regular-season meetings with the Nittany Lions, but Penn State shot 31 percent from the field overall, and 26 percent after halftime. Illinois, which upset top seed Ohio State in the quarterfinals last year, will play the 12th-ranked Buckeyes again in the same scenario on Friday. Smith's bucket with 14 seconds left in the first half gave Illinois a 31-29 lead at the break. Simpson heated up and made three consecutive baskets in a 6-2 run that gave Illinois a 43-36 lead with just under 13 minutes to play. The Fighting Illini went up by double digits, 52-42, when Macie Blinn made a 3-pointer with just under eight minutes remaining. Illinois led by at least nine points the rest of the way.
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