Illini Fall at Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.– The Fighting Illini women's basketball team was unable to keep pace with the offensive attack of host Penn State, falling 90-72 at the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday afternoon.

Penn State's 90-point outburst, which tied for the most points allowed by the Illini this season, was sparked by a 25-point, 10-assist double-double effort by junior guard and leading scorer Makenna Marisa.  

Junior guard De'Myla Brown led the Illinois offense with 19 points, pouring in 17 in the second half as the team continued to battle back from an early deficit. Brown was joined in double-figures scoring by Sara Anastasieska who also tallied seven of her 11 points after the intermission. Sophomore guard Aaliyah Nye also added 10 points, but was limited to just four points after hitting a pair of three-pointers in the game's first four minutes.

In addition Marisa's 25 points, the Lady Lions received double-digit scoring efforts from Shay Hagans (17), Leilani Kapinus (14), and Maddie Burke (12).

Kendall Bostic once again proved why she is the leading rebounder in the Big Ten, pulling down a game-high 14 boards to help the Illini to a 41-40 edge in the game.

The Fighting Illini return to State Farm Center to play host to Purdue on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed live on B1G+.

TEAM NOTES

• The Fighting Illini move to 6-9 overall (1-3 B1G), including an 0-6 away from State Farm Center.  
• The Illini are now 16-39 in the all-time series vs. Penn State including a 4-21 mark in games played at University Park.
• Illinois allowed the Penn State offense to score 90 points, matching Ohio State for the most by an Illini opponent this season.
• Illinois claimed a slim 41-40 rebounding edge on Saturday, marking three straight games with an advantage on the boards.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Junior G De'Myla Brown scored a team-high 19 points. It marked Brown's eighth double-digit scoring game of the season and the fourth time she has led the team in scoring on the season.
• Brown tied her career-high with four assists, and recorded a career-high five steals to push her team-leading season total to 26.
• Graduate G Sara Anastasieska (11 points) reached double-figures scoring for the fourth time as an Illini.
• Sophomore G Aaliyah Nye, who entered the game as Illinois' leading scorer, added 10 points, including a pair of first-quarter three-pointers, to reach double-figures scoring for the eighth time this season and the 15^th time overall in her Illini career.
• Sophomore F Kendall Bostic recorded game-high 14 rebounds, her 11^th game of the season with 10 or more boards. Bostic entered the game ranking first in the Big Ten and seventh nationally at 11.93 rebounds per game. Bostic has led the Illini in rebounding in 11 consecutive games, and 14 of 15 games overall this season.
• Freshman G Adalia McKenzie matched her career-high by pulling down four offensive rebounds.

HIGHLIGHTS