Updated WNIT Bracket in PDF Format

March 26, 2008

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MILWAUKEE - MILWAUKEE - A strong second half on both ends of the court Wednesday evening helped the Marquette women's basketball team defeat Illinois, 72-64, at the Al McGuire Center in third-round action of the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

Illinois (20-15) is eliminated from postseason play with the loss, while the Golden Eagles (18-14) advance to the fourth round and will travel to Kentucky to take on the Wildcats in Lexington on Sunday, March 30. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. Central Time at Memorial Coliseum.

Marquette had the hot hand early and raced out to a 16-4 lead over the Illini. The Golden Eagles quickly extended the margin to 25-12 midway through the first half. However, MU shot just 2-of-14 from the floor over the last nine minutes in which they were out-scored 24-6. Marquette's only made baskets during the stretch were back-to-back 3-pointers by Angel Robinson and Erin Monfre near the five-minute mark.

MU began the second half much like the first. The Golden Eagles were able to overtake the lead with a 15-0 run to begin the stanza, in which Robinson and Krystal Ellis combined to score 12 points.

Marquette matched its largest lead of the game at 57-44 on a layup by Kelly Lam with 8:46 remaining. Illinois eventually closed the gap to four points on a couple of occasions, the last coming on a free throw by Jenna Smith to get within 63-59 at the 1:17 mark.

Illinois' Lacey Simpson, who finished with 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for her fourth career double-double, fouled out of the contest in the closing minute and Ellis connected on 7-of-8 foul shots down the stretch to secure the victory.

Defensively, Marquette held the Illini to two field goals over the course of the last five minutes and forced a total of 21 turnovers.

Ellis netted a game-high 25 points. Robinson finished with 16 points, six assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Together, the duo combined to score 23 points in the second half.

Jocelyn Mellen contributed 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and Svetlana Kovalenko matched a career high with 13 rebounds and scored eight points in perhaps her final game at "The Al."

In addition to Simpson, three other Illini tallied double figures in scoring led by Lori Bjork's 19-point effort. Jenna Smith and Audrey Tabon each added 14 points.

Marquette moved to 8-5 all-time in the WNIT.