Dawn Vana was quick to point out Tuesday night she had played an atypical game in scoring 16 points in leading Illinois to a 88-65 romp over Northwestern.
“I usually don’t score much,” said the 6-foot-2-inch junior Illini forward from Maine West. “I’m a role player. I do little things that don’t show in the box score. Set screens. Box out. Leadership.”
Wildcats coach June Olkowski was aware Vana had contributed much more than her 16 points and six rebounds.
“Vana is strong,” Olkowski said. “She plays under control. She has a nice touch. She sets good examples for their younger players.” Illini coach Theresa Grentz praised Vana’s leadership toward young post players such as freshman Iveta Marcauskaite and the way sophomore guard Shavonna Hunter leads freshmen perimeter players Anne O’Neil and Aminata Yanni.
“It was good we were able to play so many players tonight,” Grentz said.
She used only two players for more than 25 minutes: Hunter for 35 and Vana for 27.
“It was good to give Allison Curtin [25 minutes] some rest,” Grentz said. “She has been playing hurt and carrying us.”
Northwestern (4-10, 0-4 in the Big Ten) was in the game for the first 15 minutes. Then Hunter, Curtin and Yanni repeatedly ran the length of the court layups after picking off interceptions or grabbing defensive rebounds.
Vana did her “little things.”
O’Neil, Vana and Yanni led Illinois’ balanced scoring with 17, 16 and 15 points respectively. Tami Sears paced the Wildcats with 16.
The Illini (7-8, 2-1) led 47-33 after a first half in which they made only four turnovers and committed only four fouls. Northwestern never made it to the foul line.
