Illinois Tops Chippewas, 77-59

11/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

MOUNT PLEASANT -- The offense never got it going and the Central Michigan women's basketball team was outrebounded by 14 in the Chippewas' 77-59 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on Wednesday.

CMU shot just 31 percent while UI connected at 43 percent and won the rebounding battle, 49-35.

Kendra Holman, making her first start of the season, went 5-of-10 from the field and finished with a team-high 15 points. Britni Houghton and Heidi Warczinski each added 12 .

The Chippewas trailed by as many as 28 in the contest, but whittled the lead down to 15 in the final five minutes.

Kaihla Szunko grabbed a team-best 11 boards and Houghton added nine rebounds and two blocks. CMU was also plagued by 23 turnovers and was blocked 10 times by IU.

CMU will return to Mount Pleasant for its home opener on Saturday against Loyola-Chicago at Rose Center.