The 2012-13 Illinois women’s basketball team set the Big Ten record for steals per game. If Sunday’s exhibition against Cardinal Stritch is any indication, that record might be in danger again this season.

After recording 417 steals last season, 12.6 per game, the Illini swiped 16 steals in a 78-49 exhibition victory Sunday at State Farm Center. A total of 33 forced turnovers fueled the Illini’s play; Illinois employed a full-court press for most of the game that led to many of those turnovers.

With the implementation of the 10-second rule in the backcourt, the Illini’s press defense only increased in its lethality. It took Cardinal Stritch nearly six minutes to net its first field goal. The Wolves were held to just 25.4 percent shooting from the field for the game.

“I was pleased with the first seven or eight minutes,” head coach Matt Bollant said. “But I was disappointed from there with how we handled with that lead, and the energy and effort we had defensively from that point.”

The Illini scored the first eight points of the game and opened on a 20-2 run. The Wolves never led. With 2 minutes and 33 seconds to go in the first half, the Illini led 44-16. From that point until the end of the game, Illinois outscored Cardinal Stritch 34-33.

Illinois saw balanced scoring across the board, with five players in double-figures and seven players with at least seven points. Taylor Tuck led the team in scoring with 14 points.

The Illini primarily played with a 7-player rotation — due to injuries, there were only nine healthy players at Bollant’s disposal. The Illini missed starting guard Alexis Smith, as well as rotation reserves McKenzie Piper and Kennedy Cattenhead with injuries. With Smith out, Tuck moved into the starting role and made an impact after not starting a game in her first two seasons.

“Taylor has steadily gotten better over the past month,” Bollant said. “She’s playing to her strengths and getting to the rim.”

This was the lone exhibition affair for the Illini before they open the season on the road against Bradley on Friday. One of the most intriguing aspects of the preseason game was the position battle between freshmen in the post for the starting center position.

Six-foot-three forward Jacqui Grant earned the start at the five slot; although, 6-foot-2 Sarah Livingston saw significant minutes. There were even some times when the duo would see the court together during the game.

“I liked that both of them shot a very good percentage,” Bollant said. Grant was 4-for-7 from the field, while Livingston was 3-for-6 shooting. “The challenge is going to be if they can continue to grow defensively so we can play them together. Right now, we’re not great defensively when those two are on the floor.”

Grant finished with nine points and eight rebounds to go with three blocks and three steals in 25 minutes, while Livingston recorded seven points and seven boards in 21 minutes.

Stephen can be reached at [email protected] and @steve_bourbon.