Gophers-Illinois women's basketball preview
January 5, 2019 at 11:06PM
U goes for fifth straight vs. Illini
Gophers update: The No. 12 Gophers (12-1, 1-0 Big Ten), coming off their first loss of the season at Michigan, will try to win their fifth straight vs. Illinois (BTN Plus will stream the game). The Gophers have not lost a home game to Illinois since Jan. 28, 2013. Gophers forward Taiye Bello is coming off a career-best 24 points on 9-for-9 shooting against Michigan. She had seven rebounds but also seven turnovers. Senior G Kenisha Bell has been productive but has shot poorly (11-for-44, 25.0 percent) in two Big Ten games. F Destiny Pitts failed to attempt a three-pointer vs. Michigan, the first time that's happened this season. She is 10-for-36 overall on field goals in her past three games.
Illinois update: The Illini (8-5, 0-2) are one win away from matching their win total from last season (9-22), but they are still trying to break a streak of 29 straight regular-season losses in the Big Ten. They are coming off a 23-point loss at Northwestern and opened Big Ten play at home with a two-point, overtime loss to Indiana. The Illini are led by senior forward — and Delano native — Alex Wittinger, who is averaging 16.5 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Kent Youngblood
about the writer
Amisha Ramlall burst on to the recruiting scene last season as a freshman and colleges, including the Gophers, quickly took notice.
