WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. --The Illinois women's basketball team fell 60-59 Arkansas' buzzer-beating shot as time expired to open play in the West Palm Beach Classic on Wednesday.
The Fighting Illini (5-5) had four players score in double figures, led by Makira Cook, who recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kendall Bostic tacked on a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Genesis Bryant helped out with 12 points.
Illinois' defense held Arkansas to only 17.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Razorbacks did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed 10 second chance points while Illinois cleared 30 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After falling behind 7-0, Illinois went on a 6-0 run with 7:23 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Bostic, to narrow its deficit to 7-6. The Fighting Illini deficit remained the same as they entered the second quarter trailing 17-16.
Arkansas kept adding to that lead, building a 23-18 advantage before Illinois went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Bryant, to take a 24-23 lead. The Razorbacks then came roaring back to take a 31-28 lead heading into halftime.
Following halftime, Illinois kept the Razorbacks from growing their lead before going on a 7-0 run to grab a 47-43 lead with 2:37 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Razorbacks had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Fighting Illini still entered the fourth quarter with a 51-48 edge. Illinois played well near the basket, scoring 16 of its 23 points in the paint.
Arkansas then erased the Illinois lead in the game's final quarter for a 60-59 comeback victory. Illinois took advantage of two Arkansas turnovers in the quarter, scoring two points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
Player Notes:
- Makira Cook scored a season-high 17 points, grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds and dished out five assists.
- Recorded her first double-double of the season, the second of her Illini career, and the third of her full career.
- Had 16 points and 10 assists on Nov. 26, 2022, vs. Delaware in Daytona Beach, Fla.
- Has poured in double figures in five of seven games played this season.
- Kendall Bostic scored 15 points and secured 10 rebounds.
- Notched her 21st career double-double of her Illini career and her fourth such performance this season.
- Recorded her eighth double-figure scoring performance of the season.
- Has done so in three-straight contests and in five of the last six overall.
- Went 7-for-11 from the field. Bostic has made at least seven field goals in back-to-back contests for the first time this season.
- Genesis Bryant scored 12 points and added two assists.
- Has double-digit scoring efforts in consecutive games.
- Camille Hobby scored 11 points off of the bench and added five rebounds.
- Fourth double-figure scoring performance of the season, all coming off of the bench.
Team Notes:
- Arkansas won the tip and scored on its first possession. The Razorbacks made their first three shots of the game while Illinois missed its first three shots.
- Four players (Bryant, Cook, Bostic, Hobby) finished in double figures for the Illini.
- 10 different Illini have had double-digit scoring efforts this season.
- Kendall Bostic and Makira Cook became the first set of Illini teammates to each record a double-double in the same game since Cook and Adalia McKenzie did so on Nov. 26, 2022, vs. Delaware in Daytona Beach, Fla.
- Illinois out-rebounded Arkansas 43-34, which included a 13-8 advantage on the offensive glass.
- Scored 13 second-chance points.
- Fourth 40-rebound game of the season.
- The Illini out-scored the Razorbacks 32-26 in the paint.
- Illinois scored 11 points off of 11 Arkansas turnovers.
- Ninth game this season the Illini defense has forced their opponent into double-digit turnovers.
Misc Notes:
- Starters: Makira Cook, Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, Brynn Shoup-Hill and Kendall Bostic.
- This lineup is now 3-4 on the season.
- Shauna Green is now:
- 27-15 at Illinois
- 154-65 as a Division I coach
- 183-90 overall
- Illinois vs. Arkansas: 2-1 (third meeting)
- Illinois is now 4-3 when wearing white uniforms
- UI is now 0-2 when playing at neutral sites this season.
- The Illini are now 2-5 in games played before 5 p.m.
- The Illini are now 1-3 in December.
Score after 1st Quarter: 16-17
Score at Halftime: 28-31 (12-14)
Score after 3rd Quarter: 51-48 (23-17)
Final score: 59-60 (8-12)
