Dec. 19, 2009

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Senior Melissa Jeltema carried her double-digit scoring streak to 25 consecutive games and recorded her third double-double of the season with 14 points and a season-high tying 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to put the Golden Grizzlies on top as the Oakland University women's basketball team (2-8) dropped a 64-50 decision to Illinois (8-2) Saturday night at Assembly Hall.

"That was a hard-fought game," said head coach Beckie Francis. "In the second half, they went up by as many as 21 points and it could have been a lot more. But every one of our girls showed a lot of heart and we were able to fight back and cut the lead to 14 points."

Even though Illinois got on the scoreboard first, the Golden Grizzlies never trailed by more than five points in the first half. A 3-pointer by sophomore Sharise Calhoun at 15:22 gave Oakland their first lead, 10-8. After being down four again, 16-12 with just over 11 minutes in the half, the Golden Grizzlies clawed their way back into the lead when a jumper by senior Hanna Reising put OU up 19-18 at 9:07.

After the Fighting Illini regained the lead , 21-19, with six minutes to go, the game remained a tight battle, with Illinois going into halftime with a five point lead, 31-26, the largest advantage by either team in the half.

Illinois went on an offensive tear to open the second half, going on a 6-0 scoring run in the first minute and 15 seconds to expand their lead to 37-26. After that, the Fighting Illini took control of the game, leading by as many as 21 points, 53-32, with 10:10 in the game.

Oakland continued to fight through and cut the lead within 14 points, 64-50, with 30 seconds remaining, but there just wasn't enough to time to stage a comeback and that score would remain the game's final tally.

Calhoun also registered double-digits with 10 points and freshman Bethany Watterworth scored seven points and pulled down seven rebounds. Illinois had three players in double-figures with Jenna Smith leading all players on the floor with 24 points.

Illinois had a slight advantage on the glass, 45-41, but Oakland outrebounded them offensively, 16-7. OU also committed fewer turnovers with 11 compared to Illinois' 20.

The Golden Grizzlies will conclude their two-game road swing when they face Penn State on Monday, Dec. 21 at the Bryce Jordan Center. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. EST tip and be followed via Gametracker at www.ougrizzlies.com.

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