MINNEAPOLIS – Illinois was the last Big Ten Conference women's basketball team to lose to Minnesota. On Friday night, the Illini almost became the next.

Aided by key contributions from a couple of freshmen in overtime, Illinois pulled out an 89-85 victory over the last-place Gophers to retain a share of first place in the conference.

"We didn't play well, but we won, and that's all that matters," said freshman center Casey Leonhardt, who along with classmate Tauja Catchings came through big down the stretch.

The defeat was Minnesota's 25th in a row in the Big Ten, the Gophers last beating a league rival on Feb. 10, 1995. The opponent that day was Illinois, which fell 92-46.

Meanwhile, the Illini won their fifth in a row to improve to 12-3 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten. They share the league lead with Michigan State. Minnesota is 2-12 and 0-4.

With the score tied at 78 in overtime, Catchings produced consecutive steals that led to a free throw by Ashley Berggren and a layup by Krista Reinking. The plays put Illinois ahead for good, 81-78.

Later, with the UI clinging to a one-point lead, Leonhardt hit consecutive jump shots from about 8 and 10 feet to put Minnesota in an 85-80 hole. The Gophers never drew closer than two thereafter.

"The plays were designed in the huddle, and she'd never seen them before," UI coach Theresa Grentz said of Leonhardt. "But she did exactly what she was supposed to do."

Said Leonhardt: "I was told if I got the ball to shoot it. Don't dribble or pass it; just shoot it."

Illinois, coming off a 100-81 upset of No. 10 Arkansas on Wednesday, found itself in a dogfight from the opening tip. There were six ties and nine lead changes in the first half, and Illinois never led by more than five points en route to a 32-30 halftime lead.

"I felt we should have come out stronger, but we were a little complacent from the start," said Berggren, who led the Illini in points (22) and assists (six). "We have been underdogs in the past, and this was a chance to learn the role of not being that underdog on the road."