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Illinois
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Illinois Falls to Northern Iowa in Coors Classic Title Game
 
Bjork named to All-Tournament Team; Illini host Northern Illinois this Tuesday
 
Lori Bjork was named to the Coors Classic All-Tournament Team
 
 

Nov. 26, 2005

Box Score

BOULDER, Colo. - Illinois entered Saturday's game vs. Northern Iowa hoping to bring home the 19th Annual Coors Classic title. However, the Illini will have to settle for the runner-up trophy after a disappointing 71-47 loss to UNI at the Coors Event Center in Boulder, Colo. Illinois (2-2) was led in scoring by freshman Lori Bjork, who had 11 points, but 24 turnovers doomed the Orange and Blue.

UNI (2-1) never trailed in the game, but Illinois kept it close for most of the first half until the Panthers went on a 10-0 late to turn a slim 24-19 lead into a 34-19 cushion with 3:45 left. Late baskets by Audrey Tabon and Bjork cut the lead to 36-23 at the break.

The second half was all Northern Iowa. The Panthers opened the second half with a 17-1 run to make the score 53-24, holding the Illini without a field goal for eight minutes in the process. The closest the Illini would get from that point was 63-44, but that was with only four minutes and change remaining.

Bjork, who was the lone Illini named to the All-Tournament Team, led two Illini in double figures with 11 points on 4-6 shooting. Bjork led Illinois in scoring in both tournament games, averaging 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds while hitting 10-17 from the field. Tabon was the other Illini in double figures on Saturday with 10 points.

Illinois had no answer for Tournament MVP Cassie Hager. The 6-7 UNI center had 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks in the title game to lead the Panthers. Tara King (15 points) and Jessie Biggs (14 points) also had big nights for the Panthers.

For the game, Illinois hit 18 of 46 shots (.391), 3-6 (.500) from behind the arc and just 8-15 (.533) from the free throw line. Meanwhile, UNI hit 23 of 52 overall (.442), 9 of 24 (.375) from three-point land and 16 of 22 (.727) three throws. The Panthers held a 34-29 edge on the glass and forced 24 Illinois turnovers while committing only 16 of their own, many after the game was no longer in doubt.

In addition to Bjork and Hager, the rest of the All-Tournament Team consisted of Utah State's Camille Brox, Colorado's Jackie McFarlane and Northern Iowa's Biggs.

Up Next: After four games away from home, Illinois will finally open at home this Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. vs. Northern Illinois. The Nov. 29 game will precede a "Gamewatch" of the 15th-ranked Illinois men at North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on the Assembly Hall video board at 8 p.m.