DESPITE EARLY LEAD, GOLDEN EAGLES FALL TO DIVISION I ILLINOIS IN EXHIBITION GAME

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Clarion University women’s basketball team jumped out to a 7-2 lead a minute into its exhibition game with NCAA Division I Illinois Friday night before falling to the Fighting Illini 86-30 at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill.

The Golden Eagles, who were 12-15 a year ago, were led by junior transfer My’Kea Cohill’s 10 points and four steals. Sophomore Katrina Greer added seven points and two rebounds, while freshman Bethany Koch from Union High School had 2 points (1-for-3 shooting), two rebounds, an assist and a steal in her first collegiate action.

Freshman Katie Stover led Clarion on the boards with five rebounds. The Golden Eagles shot 18 percent (10-for-55) for the game.

Lori Bjork led Illinois, which was 16-15 last season including 6-10 in the Big Ten, with 26 points, while Jenna Smith had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Fighting Illini hit 54 percent (32 of 59) of their shots.

Clarion gets its regular season under way at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 when it hosts Georgian Court in the opening round of the Clarion Classic. West Virginia State plays Ferris State in the opening game of the tournament at 4 p.m. The consolation game is then set for 4 p.m. Nov. 17 with the title game to follow the same day at 6 p.m.   

NOTES – An experimental 20’6” three-point line was used in the game, and Clarion was just 1-for-7 from behind the arc … The Golden Eagle starting line-up was Jessica Albanese and Sara Pratt at the forward spots and Cohill, Greer and Ashley Grimm at the guards … Illinois led 42-18 at halftime thanks to a 14-0 run after Clarion took the 7-2 lead … Clarion will face on Division I opponent in the regular season when it travels to Youngstown State Dec. 21 … The Golden Eagles open PSAC-West play Jan. 10 when they host California.