CHICAGO — For two weeks the Illinois women's basketball has felt the lows of college basketball. Four straight losses, injuries, and even some team turmoil have put a team with lofty expectations against the ropes early in the 2003-2004 season.

On Saturday the Illini answered the bell, ending a four-game losing streak by rolling over in-state rival Illinois State 85-51 at the United Center in Chicago.

Illinois bullied Illinois State around inside, grabbing 24 offensive rebounds and dominating the total rebound battle 57-31. Illinois' proficiency on the glass helped them outscore the smaller Redbirds 54-12 in the paint.

"We gave up a lot of offensive rebounds against Louisiana Tech," said Illinois head coach Theresa Grentz. "We decided ... we're just going to flip the script. We're going to take two shots each time down the court. It was really something we worked on a lot during practice."

Senior Cindy Dallas turned in a dominating performance, as the blue-collar, Pittsburgh, Penn., native poured in a game-high 21 points on 10-10 shooting while also corralling nine rebounds in 27 minutes. Dallas' 10-10 shooting clinic broke the old Illinois single game field goal percentage record. The record was previously held by Jonelle Polk, who shot 12-13 against Indiana on Jan. 30, 1987.

"I couldn't miss today," said Dallas. "But I'm just so happy we got a win. A little momentum going into the Big Ten season."

Ironically it was a pair of plays by Dallas and junior Angelina Williams that helped blow open up a close game at the end of the first half. With the Illini up by five Williams came up with a steal at midcourt and turned it into a wide open layup. On the very next possession Dallas made a seemingly identical play.

It was a heated on-court argument between Dallas and Williams that highlighted the Nov. 28 loss at UC-Santa Barbara when the Illini blew an eight-point second-half lead against the No. 16 Gauchos. After nearly coming to blows both Williams and Dallas were suspended for the following game against UCLA, a 56-68 loss. The two have put the conflict behind them.

"I think Angel's steal was the catalyst," said Dallas. "It was a very important stretch. Our defense set it off and allowed us to get the ball rolling. I don't think we looked back after that play."

Williams complimented Dallas as well.

"I think we do (draw off Cindy Dallas' energy)," Williams said. "I think we draw off each other. Someone may have a spark and everyone feeds off it."

A key for the Illini was holding down Redbird forward Katie Donovan. Just 13 minutes into the game Donovan had already scored 13 points and it looked as though the Illini were in store for a dogfight. But the Illini got Donovan out of her rhythm in more than one way. By calling on senior Aminata Yanni to shadow Donovan, Grentz's strategy and Yanni's athleticism helped limit Donovan to just five points the rest of the way.

"They focused on me a little more," said Donovan. "I was still able to get my shots but they just weren't falling."

Part of the reason they weren't falling may be attributed to Dallas. In the second half Dallas and Donovan became entrenched in a physical battle underneath the boards. The two began fighting for position each time down the floor. By baiting Donovan into a battle she could not win, Dallas not only helped wear out Donovan, but she also may have gotten into her head, as Donovan became visibly frustrated by Dallas' domination.

"Illinois played real hard and real aggressive," said Illinois State head coach Robin Pingeton. "You've got to give them a lot of credit. They just threw us around a bit."