CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois opened its 2023-24 Big Ten slate on Sunday afternoon at State Farm Center, falling to [NR/25] Michigan, 84-48.
In front of the largest ticketed home crowd of the season thus far, the Fighting Illini secured a season-high eight blocks, including a team-high three rejections from Kendall Bostic.
Bostic hit double digits for the sixth time this season, recording 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Her three blocks were a season-best mark.
Makira Cook scored a team-high 14 points, her third consecutive outing in double figures. Cook tallied 11 points in the second half, and she also finished with three rebounds and one block.
Adalia McKenzie recorded double figures for the fourth time in the last five outings, finishing her afternoon with 11 points. All three of her rebounds came on the offensive glass.
Brynn Shoup-Hill amassed nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Illinois (5-3, 0-1 B1G) closes its five-game homestand next weekend, taking on Missouri in the McBride Homes Braggin' Rights game. The 3 p.m. CT tip will be the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday, Sept. 17, at State Farm Center, as it follow the Illinois men's basketball's contest against Colgate at 12 p.m. Both games will air nationally on Big Ten Network.
DECEMBER 17 DOUBLEHEADER INFORMATION
Illinois Athletics is set to host a doubleheader in State Farm Center on Dec. 17, when the Fighting Illini men's basketball team faces Colgate at 12 p.m. CT followed by the women tipping off against Missouri at 3 p.m. While both games will be on the Big Ten Network, the doubleheader experience from State Farm Center is one Illini fans won't want to miss.
Arena doors will open at 11 a.m. for the general public with a men's basketball vs. Colgate ticket. Fans with a ticket to the men's game will automatically have entry to the women's Braggin' Rights game, as the arena will not be cleared between contests.
Men's basketball ticket holders in sections 9-13, 120, 101, 102, 107-113, Loge (126-129), and Courtside seating are welcomed to stay and enjoy the women's basketball game from a women's basketball general admission seat. Women's basketball game reserved seating tickets will take precedence in those sections following the conclusion of the men's basketball game.Â
Fans with a ticket only for the women's game will be able to enter the arena beginning at 2 p.m. (pending the conclusion of the men's game). Staging will occur in the west main entrance of State Farm Center if an overlap occurs. Fans with a ticket to only the women's game will receive a false scan if they try to enter the arena prior to 2 p.m.
Parking for the men's game will be enforced as usual, with First Street reopening earlier than normal. Fans coming in for the women's game will be able to park in the State Farm Center lots for free as usual beginning at 2 p.m. If the SFC lots are full, fans are encouraged to park in the E-14 Lot. ADA parking overflow will be in the circle crossover drives on the east and west sides of the arena. ADA drop-offs can also take place in the circle drives.
Concession stands will open as usual ahead of the men's game and remain open through the conclusion of the women's contest. Alcohol sales will be available until the end of the third quarter of the women's game.Â
Postgame Notes
Player Notes:
- Brynn Shoup-Hill scored nine points and grabbed a season-high seven rebounds.
- Blocked two shots for the second straight game.
- Makira Cook scored a team-high 14 points.
- Has double-digit scoring efforts in three straight games and in four games overall this season.
- Kendall Bostic scored 10 points, secured a team-high eight rebounds and rejected a season-high three shots.
- Third straight game with at least eight boards and has five such games this season.
- Genesis Bryant had a team-high three assists.
- Adalia McKenzie scored 11 points and added three rebounds.
- Jada Peebles scored four points off the bench.
Team Notes:
- Illinois won the tip, and Kendall Bostic opened the scoring with a layup on the Illini's first possession five seconds into the game.
- Illinois is 5-1 when scoring first.
- Three players (Cook, McKenzie and Bostic) finished in double figures for the Illini.
- 10 different Illini have had double-digit scoring efforts this season.
- Illinois recorded a season-high eight blocks on defense.
- The Illini scored 11 second-chance points off 10 offensive rebounds.
- Illinois has four straight games with at least 10 second-chance points.
Misc Notes:
- Starters: Makira Cook, Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, Brynn Shoup-Hill and Kendall Bostic.
- This lineup is now 3-2 on the season.
- The Illini played in front of their largest home crowd in a ticketed game this season (3,763).
- Shauna Green is now:
- 27-13 at Illinois
- 154-63 as a Division I coach
- 183-88 overall
- Illinois vs. Michigan: 40-38 (78th meeting)
- Illinois is now 4-1 when wearing white uniforms
- The Illini are now 2-3 in games played before 5 p.m.
- The Illini are now 1-1 in December.
Quotes
Opening statement:
"Obviously, not the performance or outcome that we wanted. Give Michigan a lot of credit. They were coming off a loss, and they were super fired up.
"I thought we came out and started great. Our first seven minutes, I thought we were really, really good. We didn't hit shots early, but we defended. We were executing our game plan. Then, they went on a little stretch where I think they scored six points in a row, and it just kind of snowballed really, really fast from there.Â
"We have to understand and learn from this game about how we deal with adversity in a game. We talk all the time about our Rs, and our responses, and how we can quickly try to stop when they go on a little run. Basketball is a game of runs; it's ebbs and flows. We want to come out and make the first punch, and I thought we did, but we got punched in and we kind of just fell.Â
"We have to have more fight. We have to do a better job in executing game plan, and then we have to hit some shots. I don't care who we play; we're not beating anyone shooting 29%. We got a lot of good looks, and we did not shoot the ball well at all. They had almost double the field goals made and almost 20 more shots than us.
"It was just not a great day, and I hope that there's never a day again like this. We have one option: We're gonna learn, and we're gonna get better."
On her role in the locker room with helping the team through the loss:
"We're just making sure we're bringing everybody along. Sometimes, people get in their own heads and then everything's focused on that one person and trying to get them out, but just bringing everybody on the team along and holding people accountable. I'm just being someone who's positive in the moments when you want to be everything but positive. I think it's about making sure everybody's doing their part."
On the team's approach over the next week ahead of next Sunday's game against Missouri:
"It's about getting together, growing together, making sure everybody's on the same page mentally, and making sure we're communicating on the court. That was something we talked about that was not great today, both basketball wise and not basketball wise.Â
"It's about really trying to make sure everybody is being positive when they need to be, and then getting back to work and learning from this game. I think there's a lot we can learn from it, but just taking that into the next game and coming into that next game hungry. Michigan got beat by Toledo, and they came in and they were ready to play. When we play Missouri, we need to have the same mentality Michigan did today."
On what the team can take away from the loss:
"We have to fight. We're not called the Fighting Illini for no reason. We really do have to fight. I don't care if they're taller, bigger, or stronger. We are Illinois. Our identity is to be relentless, so we have to apply that on the floor and be consistent with that."
On her leadership:
"We have to be consistent in our leadership. For me, my leadership wasn't the best today, and I'll learn from that. We have to bring everybody together and stay positive."
