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Women's Basketball - Wed, Nov 5, 2008
Judson 56, Illinois Tech 45 - Box
 

Elgin, IL.- An 11-0 run in the middle of the second half secured the victory for Judson University (1-0) in their opening game of the 2008-09 women's basketball season with a 56-45 win over Illinois Tech (0-2). Judson hung on with a two-point lead, 32-30, at the 13:14 mark and over the next five minutes took a 13-point lead, 43-30, on the 11-0 run. The win also makes Judson 16-0 all-time against Illinois Tech which dates back to their first meeting in the 1993-94 season is the fifth straight season opening win for Judson.

In her first collegiate game, freshman Megan Boxberger (Overland Park, KS) led Judson with 10 points and eight rebounds in only 20 minutes played. She was the only Eagle in double figures as Alicia Rovertoni (Columbia, IL) and Kristin Siemers (Bensenville, IL) added eight points each. Devonaye Henderson (Ellenwood, GA) grabbed seven rebounds.
 
"It's really exciting," says Megan Boxberger on her first collegiate game.  "I couldn't have hoped for anything better. I know we're all working great as a team and it's going to be a really great season as long as we keep it up and keep talking."
 

With nine lead changes in the first nine minutes of the game, it looked as though that neither team would take command of the game. At the 11:59 mark, Rovertoni tied the game for a fifth time at 14 and her shot sparked a 6-1 run to give Judson a five-point lead.20-15. Judson never lost the lead after that run. Illinois Tech did cut the lead to three, 20-17, with 8:18 left in the half but Judson outscored the Scarlet Hawks, 7-3, to end the half and take a seven-point halftime lead, 27-20.

Illinois Tech fought back in the second half as they came within three, 27-24, in the first two minutes. They had a chance to come within one but missed both of their jumpers in the minute and a half as Judson's Aubrey Parsons (Sterling, IL) converted a three-point play to take a six-point lead, 30-24.

Responding with a 6-2 run in the next three minutes, Illinois Tech made a last effort to retake the lead. Their run put them within striking distance, 32-30, with just over 13 minutes to go. After Judson missed their shot on the next possession, Illinois Tech turned the ball over and Judson went on their 11-0 run to end the Scarlet Hawks threat.

Judson's bench stepped up their play in the first game scoring 30 points and shut out Illinois Tech's bench. Judson also scored 24 points off of Illinois Tech's 27 turnovers. The Eagles also took the rebounding advantage, 43-38, and had 18 steals to Illinois Tech's 13.

Judson has a very difficult task coming up this weekend as they face #8 Indiana Wesleyan and #22 Huntington University in Indiana at the Huntington Tournament. Judson will play Indiana Wesleyan at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Huntington at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.