March 25, 2008

MILWAUKEE -

Illinois Game Notes in PDF Format

The Marquette women's basketball team will look to continue its post-season run when it hosts Illinois in the third round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament Wednesday night. Tip-off at the Al McGuire Center is at 7 p.m.

The game can be heard live on ESPN Radio 540 AM with Matt Salmon and former Marquette great Moya Baylis calling all the action.

The winner of this game will play the winner of James Madison versus Kentucky. Date, time and location for round four are to be determined.

The Golden Eagles defeated Creighton in overtime, 75-69, to advance to the third round on Monday night. Marquette led by as many as 16 points before Creighton began its rally. Sophomore Janelle Harris hit the game-tying bucket with one second left in regulation to send the game to overtime. Marquette escaped OT by out-scoring the Bluejays 12-6 in the extra frame.

Freshman Angel Robinson paved the way with 19 points and a career-high nine rebounds. Red-shirt freshman Jocelyn Mellen sparked Marquette in the first half with 15 points. She finished the game with a collegiate-high 17 points and seven rebounds. Harris added 12 points and four rebounds.

With the win, Marquette improved its all-time WNIT record to 7-5, 4-1 at the Al McGuire Center.

The Illini (20-14) advanced to the third round by defeating Drake in Champaign, 48-44 on Monday night. Illinois enters the game with Marquette as the victor in five of its last six games. The Illini won three straight in the Big Ten Tournament en route to an appearance in the Big Ten Tournament Championship game.

First year head coach Jolette Law, the former associate head coach to C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers, seems to have taken Stringer's defensive-minded approach with her to Illinois as the Illini have held their opponents to a Big Ten-best 56.8 ppg. Against Drake, Illinois held the Bulldogs to a season low 44 points. In its last five wins, Illinios held its counterparts to 58 or fewer points.

On the flip side, the Illini are scoring 62.1 ppg and are led by first team All-Big Ten selection Jenna Smith who is averaging a team-best 18.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Smith scored 10 points and added nine rebounds against Drake.

The Marquette University Alumni Relations department will again host a pre-game gathering at Jim Hegarty's Pub on 1120 W. Wells Street prior to the game against Illinois on Wednesday, March 26. The gathering will begin at 5 p.m., tip-off at the Al McGuire Center is at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar and food available for purchase.

Tickets for the game are still available. $8 for chairbacks, $5 general admission. Call (414) 288-GOMU to order tickets.