CHAMPAIGN – Some Illinois fans no doubt spent a portion of their Sunday fretting about life after Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson, two seniors who will leave an indelible imprint on the program.

But a 61-57 victory against Purdue on Senior Day also might have served as a cheering-up session to those same folks, who watched Illini freshmen Kersten Magrum and Karisma Penn combine for 25 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Magrum has flourished lately with increased playing time, which seemed to come out of nowhere. Magrum played an average of 8.7 minutes through her first 15 games, and she didn't even see action in three of Illinois' first six Big Ten games.

But since then, Magrum has averaged 22 minutes, including a season-high 33 Sunday. She had 11 points.

"In the first half, Kersten Magrum stood out in my mind," UI coach Jolette Law said.

Magrum appears to be getting comfortable in her offensive role, using a deft shooting touch out to 17 feet.

"I think we work well together and work really hard in practice together," Magrum said. "I think it's a comfortable thing. We're really starting to read off of each other. It's been going well."

Penn, meanwhile, scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half.

"Huge," Purdue coach Sharon Versyp said of Penn's impact. "We couldn't stop her. Not one post player could stop her. Jenna had an amazing first half, but then we couldn't defend Penn, whether it was in zone or in man. We didn't do a good job on her."

Moving up. Smith's 15 rebounds moved her into fifth place on the Big Ten's career list. With 1,126, she's nearly a cinch to pass No. 4 Liz Shimek (1,130) and No. 3 Molly Tadich (1,135).

Smith's 21 points gave her 2,036. She needs 54 to break Ashley Berggren's school record. Her quest to get that record comes down to her team's success. The Illini must win one of their next two games to become WNIT eligible (minimum .500 record), likely assuring Smith another game. Plus, if the Illini are able to win their first-round game in the Big Ten tournament, Smith would get another opportunity in that event to reach Berggren.

Josil MIA. Sophomore guard Fabiola Josil has received little playing time since late January. The situation has been acute lately. Josil played three minutes against Northwestern, four against Iowa and 12 against Michigan State.

On Sunday, Josil didn't get in the game, the first time she hasn't played when dressed and available.

Asked if Josil was injured or whether she needed to do more in practice, Law said, "She's fine. Right now I just felt comfortable with the group that was out on the floor. I just rode with that group."

Short shots. Two visitors Sunday who fell into the VIP category at the Assembly Hall were Bolingbrook's Taylor and Morgan Tuck. Taylor is one of the state's top juniors, while Morgan is widely considered one of the nation's top 10 sophomores. They've been to multiple Illini home games this season. ... Simpson had five steals and Purdue's FahKara Malone two, leaving the Illini with an eight-steal advantage in the seniors' duel up the Big Ten career steals list. Simpson is in fifth place all time, with Malone sixth. ... Illinois had five blocks to break the UI record for a season. The Illini have 158, and their 5.9 average puts them ninth among the nation's 332 Division I teams.