No. 12 Minnesota 64, Illinois 49

2/2/2006 10:10 PM

By JIM PAUL
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Jamie Broback scored 14 of her 18 points in the first half to lead No. 12 Minnesota to a 64-49 victory over Illinois on Thursday night.

Broback hit a 3-pointer to open the game as the Golden Gophers (16-4, 8-1 Big Ten) jumped out to a 10-2 lead they would never give up. The win was Minnesota's sixth straight road victory in Big Ten play.

Natasha Williams scored 11 points, going 5-for-5 from the field, for the Golden Gophers.

Illinois (12-9, 4-6) was down 39-23 at halftime but tightened its defense considerably and battled back to close to within seven points, holding Broback scoreless in the process. Minnesota didn't score for over 5 minutes while the Illini cut a 14-point Gopher lead to 50-43.

But but the Gophers went on a 14-6 run, with Broback scoring her final four points, to close the game. The Illini, who were scoreless in the last 3:27, lost their fifth straight.

Freshman Lori Bjork led Illinois with 14 points, while Janelle Hughes added 10. But the Illini shot only 32 percent and were 2-for-11 on 3-pointers.

Illinois missed 11 of its first 14 shots and fell behind 26-8 in the first nine minutes as Minnesota scored on eight straight possessions at the end of the run. Broback hit a layup and a 3-pointer, Lauren Lacey hit a jumper and Kelli Roysland hit two more 3s to give Minnesota a 21-8 lead. Then Lacey made a free throw and Broback hit two more baskets.

The Gophers were Illinois' fourth nationally ranked opponent in the last five games.