Illinois Surges Past Oklahoma, 86-75

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Oklahoma hadn't paid much attention to Danyel Crutcher in scouting Illinois for Sunday's game because she was averaging a meager three points per game coming off the bench this season. The No. 15 Sooners are regretting that decision.

Crutcher scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to spark the Illini to an 86-75 upset Sunday. Janelle Hughes scored 11 straight points during a 16-4 run in the second half as Illinois (6-3) snapped a seven-game losing streak against teams ranked in the AP Top 25.

"I just feel real happy all of a sudden," Crutcher said. "I really enjoy practice and working hard."

Statistics | Basketball Gameday Central

Crutcher started 24 games as a freshman last season, but had been relegated to a bench role this season and averaged just nine minutes per game until Sunday. After Audrey Tabon picked up a couple quick fouls trying to guard Oklahoma's Courtney Paris, Illini coach Theresa Grentz turned to Crutcher and sent her into the game.

She responded with a basket and a steal.

"I don't know what box they've been hiding her in but they let her out today and she went crazy," said Sooners coach Sherri Coale. "Everybody played their role and did their job and we were miserable."

Paris scored 27 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for Oklahoma (9-2), but she didn't get a lot of help and when her fourth foul forced her to the bench with 12:36 to go, Illinois was poised to strike.

Maggie Acuna's jumper with 9:06 left cut the Illini deficit to 62-59 and Hughes went to work. She hit two jumpers and her 3-pointer with 7:31 left gave Illinois a 66-64 lead, its first since the opening minute.

Hughes, who finished with 17 points, hit two more jumpers and Illinois led 70-64 with 6:08 remaining. She said her outburst came after a "little pep talk" on the bench.

"Coach was trying to get me focused and to be more assertive out there, taking good shots and not rushed shots," she said. "The second half, I was just able to let it come to me more."

And while the Illini were rallying, the Sooners looked lost. They finished the game with 20 turnovers and sent Illinois to the free throw line 34 times. The Illini converted 26.

"We didn't have any poise and we didn't have any rhythm offensively all day long," Coale said. "Even in the first half, when we were scoring pretty well, we didn't have any flow."

Erin Wigley also scored 17 points for Illinois, which played just its second home game this season. Lori Bjork added 12.

Higgins was 3-of-4 from 3-point range and had 11 points for Oklahoma. Laura Andrews added 10.

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Game Notes
Oklahoma (9-2) returns to the hardwood on Wednesday when it hosts No. 11/13 Michigan State in a nationally televised contest at the Lloyd Noble Center. The game will air on Fox Sports Network with Kevin Eschenfelder on play-by-play and Debbie Antonelli on color commentary. Single and group tickets remain for the contest, while all family package tickets have been sold.

Team Notes
OU led 45-39 at the half, which marked the third time this season that OU has scored 45 or more in the first half. The Sooners also accomplished the feat against SMU (49) and Oral Roberts.

OUs' offense was clicking at a high percentage in the first half, shooting 53 percent (19-36) from the field and 57 percent (4-7) from three point range. Illinois countered by making all four of its 3-point attempts and 17-of-19 at the free throw line.

OU had nine first half steals, which was higher than its game total for the previous three games. The Sooners finished the game with 10 steals.

Illinois took its first lead at 66-64 on a Janelle Hughes 3-pointer with 7:32 remaining in the game. Hughes would score 11 straight points to seal the 86-75 win.

Courtney Paris Notes
Courtney Paris had 27 points and 19 rebounds in 25 minutes of play. She was 12-20 from the field and 3-7 from the free throw line. Paris' 27 points is her second highest total this season. She set a season best with 30 Iowa. Paris has averaged 19.3 rebounds per game over the last three contests.

Paris picked up her fourth foul with 12:36 to play in the second half and OU up 58-50. She went to the bench with 20 points and 13 rebounds marking her Big 12 leading eighth double-double in 11 games this season.

Paris moved up to sixth on the OU single season blocks list with three swats, which increased her season total to 34. She passed Jo Mosley (32 in 1988-89) and trails Angi Guffy (35 in 1991-92).

Paris upped her averages to 21.5 points and 14.1 rebounds.

Laura Andrews Notes
Laura Andrews collected 10 points, all in the first half, in 23 minutes of action. She was only able to get off one shot attempt in nine second half minutes. Andrews season high was 11 points in the opener against Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Erin Higgins Notes
Erin Higgins was 3-of-4 from three point range to increase her Big 12 leading season total to 30. She is shooting .440 (30-65) from long range this season. With 164 career makes, she is 11 shy of setting the OU career record. Higgins also started her 60 consecutive game.

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