CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - A touch more of offensive prowess would have been a blessing for the MSU women’s basketball team Sunday.

Its defensive know-how kept the team on top most of the game against Illinois, but a late-game dip in offense let the Fighting Illini break away with a 52-50 win.

MSU (9-16 overall, 3-11 Big Ten) ruled the tempo of the game, refusing to run with Illinois. It also held its opponent to just 42.9 percent shooting from the field.

But Illinois (13-13, 8-6)guard Allison Curtinsaid she wouldn’t let her team lose.

She led a late second-half 10-0 run after banking only nine first-half points and finished with 25 for the game.

“I give total credit of winning this game to Allison,” Illinois head coach TheresaGrentz said. “She strapped the team on her back.