COLUMBIA, Mo. – Illinois Women's Basketball added a double-digit win over [RV] Missouri in the McBride Homes Braggin' Rights game to its 2022-23 non-conference resume on Sunday. The short-handed Illini saw Adalia McKenzie deliver a game-high 21 points while Genesis Bryant turned in a career-best 20 points in the 76-66 win.
With the victory, the Illini are up to double-digit wins, climbing to 10-2 on the season. Illinois has won nine regular-season non-conference games for just the sixth time in program history. Missouri, who is receiving votes [RV] in the AP Poll, moved to 11-2 with the loss. The setback was the Tigers' first loss in Mizzou Arena since last season.
Illinois struck first from Columbia just 27 seconds into the action as Kendall Bostic connected for a long jumper. The Orange and Blue used a quick run of six-consecutively made field goals to push out to a quick 17-6 lead. Missouri battled back on a 14-0 run to hold a 20-17 edge and would ultimately lead 20-19 after 10 minutes of play.
Illinois pushed out to earn the 33-27 advantage at the second quarter media timeout. The Orange and Blue outscored Missouri 14-7 in the frame to that point and would ultimately take a 40-33 lead into the locker room at halftime. McKenzie led the Illini with 10 points in the half with six of seven Illini tallying at least four points.
In the opening half, Illinois connected on 5-of-9 3-pointers in addition to shooting 58.6 percent from the field.
Out of the half, McKenzie got the scoring started again less than a minute in and would add five-straight points for the Illini. After a three-point play for the Tigers, UI went on a 6-0 run spanning just a minute to open up a 56-43 advantage. Coming out of the Mizzou break, the Tigers went on a 5-0 run before the Illini returned the favor for a 61-48 lead after three quarters.
While Missouri would outscore the Illini by three in the final frame (18-15), Illinois locked down on defense and would earn the McBride Homes Braggin' Rights victory in enemy territory.
Brynn Shoup-Hill connected for two of her four 3-pointers on the night in the final quarter. Four treys ties the sophomore's career high as she finished with 12 points along with seven rebounds.
Bostic turned in her third double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists.
With her first start of the season, Bryant logged the first 20-point game of her career. She would add six rebounds and five assists.
Illinois operated at a 55.4-percent clip on the night, which included a 45 percent rate from deep.
Illinois returns home for its final contest of the calendar year from State Farm Center on Wednesday when Florida Atlantic visits. Tipoff is slated for 12 p.m. CT, on B1G+.
Post-Game Notes
Player Notes:
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Kendall Bostic delivered her third double-double of the season, recording 14 points and 10 rebounds.
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Adalia McKenzie led Illinois in scoring with 21 points - her fourth 20-point game of the season.
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Brynn Shoup-Hill tied her career-high 4 3-pointers and finished with 12 points.
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Genesis Bryant registered a career-high 20 points for Illinois, marking the first 20-point outing of her career.
Team Notes:
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Illinois scored first with a Kendall Bostic long jumper 27 seconds into the game.
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The Illini scored 28 points off 17 Missouri turnovers.
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Illinois led for 37:04 of the game while Missouri would own an advantage for less than a minute (58 seconds).
Misc Notes:
Score after 1st Quarter: 19-20
Score at Halftime: 40-33 (21-13)
Score after 3rd Quarter: 61-48 (21-15)
Final score: 76-66 (15-18)
