Dec. 8, 2007

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. - Illinois continued its run of impressive play at the United Center, winning its fifth straight game at the annual Lexus December to Remember Classic with a 73-46 victory over Chicago State on Saturday. Sophomore Jenna Smith (24 points) and senior Danyel Crutcher (20 points) led the way, and sophomore Lacey Simpson had 10 points, a career-high 12 assists and 4 steals for the Illini, who have won the last five at the United Center by an average of 33 points.

The Illini started off sluggish, scoring just six points in the first nine and-a-half minutes while committing seven turnovers as CSU opened up a 10-6 lead. However, the Orange and Blue came to life at that point, rattling the Cougars with full court pressure and stellar play from Crutcher and Simpson. The duo keyed a 17-0 Illini run over the next four minutes, highlighted by 12 Crutcher points on 6-of-6 shooting, and three steals and five assists by Simpson during the run.

Illinois (7-3) led 38-23 at the half, behind Crutcher's 18 points and Simpson's eight assists and four steals, and would pull away in the second half, stretching the lead to 33 at one point to improve to 7-2 all-time at the United Center.

The Illini shot 52 percent from the field behind Crutcher's 10-of-12 shooting and Smith's 10-of-14 from the field, while the UI defense shut down Chicago State (4-3), holding them to just 27 percent shooting. Illinois dominated inside, out-rebounding the Courgars 46-27 behind Crutcher (10 rebounds), Smith (eight rebounds), junior Chelsea Gordon (seven rebounds) and junior Lori Bjork (career-high tying six rebounds). The Illini outscored the Cougars 40-10 in the paint and had a 15-5 advantage in second chance points.

Simpson's double-double was her first of the season and third of her career, while Crutcher's was her first of the season and 12th of her career.

The Illini will now have 11 days off for final exams before returning to action on Dec. 19 at Missouri.