BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Jenna Smith scored a game-high 21 points – in the process breaking the Illinois career scoring record – as the Illini pounded Western Kentucky 68-51 on Friday night to advance to the second round of the Women's NIT.

With the win, the Illini will face Marquette at 4 p.m. Monday at the Assembly Hall, where they lost to the Golden Eagles 65-55 on Dec. 9.

But the story of the night for the Illini was Smith, who broke Ashley Berggren's career scoring record with a three-pointer in the first half.

"When I hit the three I saw our team and the crowd jump up and I realized that I reached the record," said Smith, who also had 10 rebounds. "It was a good feeling, and it's even better since we got the win and get to play another game. When I came to Illinois I just wanted to play to the best of my abilities, and I think I've done that. I had no idea I'd be able to set all these records. It will be nice to look back on them when my career is over."

Smith now has 2,108 points for her career. Berggren finished with 2,089.

Whitney Toone scored a career-high 20 points and added seven rebounds for Illinois, which led 41-30 at halftime.

"I was definitely looking to be more offensive-minded tonight," Toone said. "Karisma (Penn) started out with three early baskets, so when I came in for her I knew I needed to keep the momentum going."

Penn also hit double figures in scoring with 11.

Coach Jolette Law was impressed with her team's effort.

"I'm proud of the way we played tonight," Law said. "Western Kentucky is a very good team and is very athletic, but we didn't get rattled by their pressure. When they made their run in the second half we did a good job of staying poised and put the game away down the stretch."

On Monday, a single ticket, which is $15, will allow admission to the women's game and the men's 7 p.m. NIT second-round game against Kent State. Tickets in A Section are sold out, and tickets are general admission for B and C sections.

Illinois was eliminated from the WNIT by the Golden Eagles in 2006 and '08.

Illinois was without the services of Adrienne GodBold, who was serving a one-game suspension for violating team rules.

In wrestling:

Dergo, Blanton fall. John Dergo (184 pounds) and Jordan Blanton (174) each will finish this season as All-Americans.

Second-seeded Dergo and 10th-seeded Blanton each went 2-0 Friday to reach the consolation semifinals at the NCAA meet in Omaha, Neb., guaranteeing no worse than a sixth-place finish. The top eight are All-Americans.

"The round to become an All-American is probably the toughest round in any wrestling tournament, and Dergo and Blanton did everything right," Illinois coach Jim Heffernan said. "It's a big deal for both of them."

In baseball:

UI rallies. The Illini scored three runs in the seventh inning, and senior Mike Sterk earned his second win of the season for Illinois in its 7-6 victory against Akron in Winter Haven, Fla.

Sophomore Corey Kimes claimed his first career save, getting a strikeout to seal the win.

"We played a cleaner game today and were better in all aspects," UI coach Dan Hartleb said. "We found a way to come from behind two different times and got some big hits."

In men's tennis:

Illini sweep matches. Abe Souza and Stephen Hoh extended their singles winning streaks to five matches, and coach Brad Dancer earned his 98th and 99th victories at Illinois.

The 11th-ranked Illini (9-5) defeated Ball State 7-0 and Illinois State 6-1 at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex.

"We keep seeing some great leadership from our guys," Dancer said.

In softball:

Squad cruises. Outfielder Hollie Pinchback went 4 for 5, hitting one of four Illinois home runs, and Pepper Gay and Monica Perry earned pitching victories as the No. 21 Illini defeated Florida Gulf Coast 6-1 and Florida Atlantic 9-0 on Friday in Clearwater, Fla.

"Hollie had a great day today and really got us going," Illini assistant coach Katie O'Connell said. "Offensively we had a fantastic day. It looked like we got our Illini swagger back in the FAU game, playing our kind of ball and really taking it to them. The pitching staff as a whole had some good performances as well. We need to cut down on walks, but they got out of a lot of jams."