LAS VEGAS – The University of Dayton women’s basketball team (6-3) put up its third-highest scoring total of the season in an 80-66 win over Illinois (5-7) Tuesday at the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic at South Point Arena.
Senior Justine Raterman led the way for the Flyers with a game-high 22 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Freshman Andrea Hoover equaled her career high with 16 points, along with five rebounds and a career-high four assists. Junior Olivia Applewhite also scored in double figures, posting 10 points.
With the victory, it marks the third consecutive season the Flyers have defeated a Big Ten opponent during an in-season tournament (Minnesota in 2010 to claim the Subway Classic and Purdue in 2009 to claim the Traveler’s Classic).
Raterman hit a three to put UD on the board first at 18:37, but then the Flyers went cold, only converting two more field goals in eight minutes of game action. UD was down 16-8 with 11:54 to play in the half but outscored the Illini 18-8 over the next five minutes to regain the lead, 26-24 on a Raterman fast break layup.
Sophomore Cassie Sant hit a free throw to tie the game at 28-all, the fifth time of the game both squads were even on the scoreboard. Raterman scored seven consecutive points and the Flyers went on a 10-2 run to close out the half for a 38-30 lead at the half.
Illinois got within four with 15:23 to play but that is as close as it would get. Dayton went up by 15 with 7:27 left in the game on an Elle Queen free throw and held a double-digit lead the rest of the game.
Junior Sam MacKay contributed eight points. Sant added seven points and freshman Ally Malott had seven points and six rebounds. Dayton shot 46.3 percent from the field, the second best field goal percentage all season (best was 47.3 at Cincinnati).
UD’s defense accounted for 12 steals, tying the second highest total of the season (Dayton had a season-high vs. Buffalo).
Dayton’s bench outscored Illinois’ bench 32-16.
The Flyers play No. 25 Gonzaga Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. ET in the South Point Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic. The game will be available on 1660 Information Radio with a broadcast from Shane White.
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