After being held to 16 first half points, the Illini received a halftime kick start by head coach Jolette Law, which gave them the momentum to defeat Eastern Illinois, 49-45.

Junior Lacey Simpson ignited the team in the second half, pouring in 12 points in 20 minutes. Simpson was forced to the bench in the first half with foul trouble but said Law’s “look” at the break was enough to tell her she needed to step it up in the second.

The Cougar’s defense slowed down junior Jenna Smith down on the block, where she saw double and triple teams throughout the afternoon. Smith finished with 16 points, five rebounds and five blocks in 40 minutes.