Nov. 6, 2009

Livestats: Illinois vs. Lewis Gametracker

Illinois Season Preview
2009-10 Illinois Women's Basketball Media Guide

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.-- Fans can get their first look at Jolette Law's 2009-10 squad in action this Sunday, Nov. 8, when the Fighting Illini host Lewis University at Assembly Hall in a preseason exhibition game. The game, which tips off at 11:30 a.m., will be Illinois' only tune-up before opening the regular season on Friday, Nov. 13 at Temple.

Based in Romeoville, Ill., Lewis competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in NCAA Division II. The Flyers are picked to finish second in the North division preseason coaches' poll behind Quincy. Last season, Lewis was 16-13 overall and is led by junior forward Jenny Turpel, who averaged 18.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 2008-09. The Flyers have already played one exhibition game this season, falling to Bradley, 93-62, on Nov. 1.

The Fighting Illini return all five starters from a year ago, including senior All-America candidates Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson. Law also welcomes six talented newcomers to the squad as the freshman class of Adrienne Godbold, Brianna Jones, Kersten Magrum, Amber Moore, Karisma Penn and Destiny Williams was ranked as high as No. 3 in the country. The Orange and Blue were picked to finish sixth by both the league coaches and media after going 10-21 and finishing ninth last season.

After Sunday's exhibition and next Friday's regular season opener at Temple, the Illini will have three straight home games beginning with the home opener against Siena on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m.

Season tickets for Fighting Illini women's basketball start at $84 and include admission to all 15 home dates. In addition, single-game tickets, Go Illini Cards and Courtside Parties may be purchased now by calling the Illinois Athletic Ticket Office at 1-866-ILLINI-1.

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