Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Bradley committed 23 turnovers and struggled offensively, shooting just 25 percent from the floor as the Braves fell 67-45 Sunday at Illinois. Freshman Katie Yohn (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) led Bradley with nine points.
The Braves (1-2 overall) committed 14 first-half turnovers and shot just 20.7 percent in the opening 20 minutes, but trailed by just 10 (26-16) at the break. Illinois (3-1 overall) didn't fare much better in the first half, shooting just 31.3 percent in the period.
The Illini scored the first seven points of the second half to build a 33-16 lead and Bradley went just over four minutes into the second stanza before making a field goal.
Sophomore MacKenzie Westcott nailed a three-pointer with 15:52 left in the contest for the Braves first field goal of the second half to cut BU's deficit to 33-20. The Illini answered with nine consecutive points, highlighted by six points from freshman Karisma Penn, to extend the advantage to 42-20.
Sophomore guard Michelle Lund (Sioux City, Iowa/Bishop Heelan) knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to pull the Braves to within 42-26 midway through the half, but that would be as close as Bradley would get as Illinois cruised to a 67-45 victory.
Bradley shot 28 percent from three-point range (7-for-25) and made just 9-of-38 shots from two-point range. The Braves outrebounded Illinois 46-43, but had 23 turnovers compared to 17 Illini turnovers. Illinois converted the BU turnovers into a 23-6 edge in points off turnovers and the Illini outscored Bradley 34-16 in the paint. Bradley also struggled from the free throw line, making just 6-of-17 from the charity stripe (35.3 percent).
Yohn hit three three-pointers and finished with nine points and three steals to pace the Braves. Junior Sonya Harris (Riverdale, Ill./Thornton) added six points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while blocking four shots. Sophomore Leah Kassing (Mt. Sterling, Ill./Brown County) chipped in with seven points and six rebounds in nine minutes off the bench.
Penn led Illinois with 21 points in 35 minutes. All-Big Ten performer Jenna Smith collected her fourth consecutive double-double (15 points and 12 rebounds), while Lacey Simpson was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and finished with 12 points, seven boards, three assists and three steals. After a poor shooting first half, the Illini heated up to shoot 53.8 percent in the second half and led by as many as 24 (65-41).
Bradley continues a three-game road swing next weekend at the Lady Rebel Round-Up in Las Vegas, Nev. The Braves open tournament play Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (CST) against Washington State and will play either UNLV or Boise State Sunday.