CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Makira Cook scored the first three points of the night just over one minute into the game, and Illinois never looked back, leading the rest of the way in the Illini's 85-79 home win over Northwestern on Thursday night.
The Illini's winning streak now stretches seven games, and the victory was the team's first against the Wildcats in nearly nine years. Illinois continues to extend its program-best start to the season, now sitting at 14-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
Cook, who was on the bench for only 29 seconds of action, led all scorers with 23 points, her seventh consecutive game with at least 20 points. Kendall Bostic registered her second straight double-double with 15 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, which included an offensive board and an and-one layup with under one minute to play to seal the victory.
All five Illini starters scored in double figures, including 16 points from Genesis Bryant and 14 points apiece for Adalia McKenzie and Brynn Shoup-Hill.
The Illini jumped out to a 12-2 lead five minutes into the first quarter, bringing energy on the both ends of the floor and on the glass. Shooting 50% from deep in the opening 10 minutes of play, Illinois led by as many as 12 in the first frame before taking a 20-14 advantage into the second quarter. The Illini grabbed five offensive rebounds while outrebounding the Wildcats, 16-8, in the first quarter.
After Northwestern cut its deficit to three points early in the second quarter, Illinois used a 12-2 run to retake a double-digit lead. The Illini guards found Bostic wide open in the paint twice during this stretch, a trend that allowed the Illinois forward to climb up to eight points on the night.Â
Two Shoup-Hill 3-pointers later in the period fueled an 8-0 run to further extend the Illini advantage to 19 points, their largest of the game. Shoup-Hill led all scorers with 12 points at the break, all of which came from beyond the arc, as the Illini led by 18 at the half, 45-27.Â
Cook recorded 10 first-half points, while Bostic tallied double-digit rebounds before halftime, dominating the glass with 10 boards.
Illinois led by seven entering the fourth quarter, and after Northwestern cut its deficit to two points with five minutes to play, the Illini used a 6-0 run, bookended by McKenzie layups, to push their lead to eight with just over three minutes to play.
The Wildcats continued to knock on the door, but the Illini sealed the win on a 3-point play from Bostic in the final minute of the game.
The Illini face their biggest test of the season on Sunday afternoon, traveling to Columbus to take on No. 3 Ohio State (16-0, 5-0). Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
POST-GAME NOTES
Player Notes:
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Kendall Bostic recorded her 5th double-double of the season with 15 points and 16 rebounds.
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Bostic recorded 10 rebounds and 8 points in the first half.
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Bostic is up to 10 career double-doubles.
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Bostic's 16 rebounds marked a new season high for the forward.
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Bostic has now tallied double-digit rebounds in 26 games over the course of her career
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The forward tallied a career-high eight offensive rebounds
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Genesis Bryant logged double-digit points in her fifth-straight game.
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Bryant has scored in double figures on 13 occasions with 12 of those coming while donning the Orange and Blue
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Bryant led the squad in assists, dishing out five helpers in the win.
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Makira Cook led all players with 23 points.
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Cook scored in double figures for her eighth straight outing, including seven consecutive 20-point games
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Cook has scored 10 or more points in all but one appearance this year.
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The 23 points marked the eighth time the guard exceeded the 20-point standard this season and the 15th time for her career.
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The game marked the fourth-time this year Cook paced the team in points.
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Adalia McKenzie's 14 points marked her third-straight game posting double-digits to go along with 9 rebounds.
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Brynn Shoup-Hill added 14 points, tying her season high.
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Shoup-Hill led all players at the half with 12 points.
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The sophomore went 4-for-7 from 3-point range, matching her career-best for the third time.
Team Notes:
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The Illini started the game on a 7-0 run.
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All five starters scored in the first quarter for Illinois.
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Illinois posted an 8-0 run to lead 32-19 with 5:36 to play in the first half.
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The Illini held the Wildcats scoreless the final 3:49 in the opening half.
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The 29 points allowed in the third marked the second-most the team has allowed in a quarter this season.
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An 8-0 run for Northwestern cut the deficit to a pair, 73-71
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Northwestern's bench outscored Illinois, 32-3.
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Illinois never trailed in the game, leading for 38:49.
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The Illini's 12 3-pointers marked the third most for the team this season.
Misc Notes:
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Starters: Makira Cook, Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Kendall Bostic for the third-straight game. Illinois is now 3-0 with this unit.
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The Illini improved to 14-2 for the best (16-game) start in program history.
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Illinois' current 7-game winning streak ties for the third-best win streak in program history.
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Illinois is now 9-0 at home this season, matching the fifth longest home win streak in program history.
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Illinois moves to 4-1 in Big Ten play.
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The Illini established a winning record in conference play for the first time since being 3-2 during the 2016-17 season with its 12/29/22 win at Wisconsin and added to the record with wins over Iowa and Northwestern.
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Illinois is off to the best start in Big Ten play since 2012-13 - a 6-3 start.
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Illinois' four-game Big Ten winning streak ties the fourth-best streak in program history.
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Shauna Green is now:
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Against Northwestern record: 35-49 (84th meeting)
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18-22 when playing in Champaign.
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Snapped a 14-game losing streak to NU
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Shauna Green vs. Northwestern: 1-1
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Uniforms: Illinois is now 9-0 when wearing white uniforms.
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Nights games record: Illinois is now 6-0 in games played after 5 p.m.
