csuw-illinois

CHICAGO, Ill. – Jena Smith had 24 points and eight rebounds, and Danyel Crutcher had 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Fighting Illini defeated Chicago State, 73-46 in the Lexus December to Remember Holiday Classic at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.

The Cougars had their three game winning streak snapped and fall to 4-3 on the season. Illinois improves to 7-3.

Junior point guard Zondranika Williams led Chicago State with a season-high 16 points, three assist and four steals. Freshman Courtney Waldon finished with nine points and five rebounds

Lacey Simpson and Chelsea Gordon each chipped in with 10 points for Illinois. Simpson also finished with 12 assist.

CSU shot just 26.8 from the floor, hitting only 15-56 shots, compared to Illinois 51.7 percent connecting on 31-60 shots. The fighting Illini also outscored Chicago State 40-10 in the paint.

Chicago State played the Fighting Illini tough for the first ten-minutes of the opening half, as the Cougars took their largest lead of the game, 10-6 with 10:10 remaining on a three-pointer by Williams. Illinois responded 24-5 run in the next eight minutes, building a nineteen point lead with 2:13 remaining. The teams exchanged baskets the rest of the half as the Fighting Illini went into the locker room with a 38-23 lead.

Williams led CSU with 12 points in the first half. IU did a great job on Chicago State’s leading scorer, Jasmin Dixon, holding the junior scoreless. Danyel Crutcher led Illinois with 18 first-half points.

Illinois blew the game open in the second-half and led by as much as 33, as the Cougars went without a field-goal for over 13 minutes.

Dixon was held to a season low six points, on 2-of-15 shooting.

Chicago State will be back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 12, when they face the 15th ranked Blue Demons of DePaul University at McGrath Arena. Tip is set for 12 noon.