Devotion to defense nets Blinn court time

CHAMPAIGN – With one well-timed swing of her arm, Karisma Penn etched her name alongside Jenna Smith's in the Illinois women's basketball record book.

Penn's block of Courtney Boylan's runner in the lane with 1.5 seconds left gave her 70 blocks, tying Smith's single-season school record. Penn figures to break the tie in Thursday's Big Ten tournament opener against Wisconsin.

But the play on which she made it was critical. Boylan is a 5-foot-7 guard; she rubbed off a screen set by center Rachel Sheffer – whom Penn was guarding – and appeared to be headed to the basket unharassed. But Penn switched off of Sheffer and managed to stay with the streaking Boylan to block the potential game-winning shot.

"That went into the 40th row," Michigan coach Kevin Borseth cracked. "Did they find the ball? Did a fan get it? She just swatted that."

Penn finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals, her final submission of work before the All-Big Ten awards are announced today. Penn is trying to become the first player in league history to receive first-team honors while playing for a last-place club.

"She's quick, she's aggressive, she's feisty, she's efficient, she's strong, she's everything you want in a kid down there around that basket," Borseth said. "I mean, she scored 33 against Michigan State. C'mon. Michigan State's got some bruisers. She's just a great player."

Blinn shines. Junior Macie Blinn hit three three-pointers and scored nine points in 14 minutes, the most action she's seen since Jan. 20 against Ohio State.

The reason for Sunday's increased playing time?

"Macie addressed the defensive end," UI coach Jolette Law said. "A lot of people look at Macie's shooting, but I'm looking at what we do in practice: being able to defend, being able to stop the opponent. I think she did a good job and that's why she stayed in there.

"She will be used during the tournament. It's not that I don't want to play Macie Blinn. Let me make that clear. I just need Macie to be consistent and to continue to work the way she's been working the last week."

Short shots. Former Illini Becky Beach participated in a free throw-shooting contest during a first-half timeout. Beach, who played for Steven Douglas and Carla Thompson in the mid-1970s, flashed some solid form while finishing in a tie. Beach is the assistant PGA pro at Lincolnshire Fields Country Club. ... Sunday's attendance was 1,371, the Illini finishing with an average of 1,404. It's the lowest figure since an average of 633 showed up for the 1994-95 season.