CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois dropped its first game of the 2024 calendar year, falling to Wisconsin, 67-61, at State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon. Four Illini scorers finished in double figures as the Orange and Blue nearly completed the fourth-quarter comeback but ultimately came up just short.
Adalia McKenzie recorded her first double-double of the campaign, amassing 13 points and a season-high 10 rebounds. McKenzie also dished out three assists.
Makira Cook scored a team-best 18 points, her seventh outing in the last eight games in double figures. Cook tallied 12 points in the second half, including a half-court buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter, and she also totaled three rebounds and a steal.
Genesis Bryant registered 14 points and a team-high four assists. Bryant also grabbed two steals, which were a team-high.
Kendall Bostic ended her outing with 10 points and nine rebounds, including three on the offensive glass.
Illinois (6-7, 0-3 B1G) begins a two-game road trip on Thursday, when the Illini travel to Lincoln to take on Nebraska. The nationally televised contest will air at 7 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
Postgame Notes
Player Notes:
- Makira Cook scored a team-high 18 points, including 12 in the second half.
- Opened the scoring with the Illini's first four points of the afternoon.
- Knocked down a 3-pointer from the logo to beat the buzzer at the end of the third quarter.
- Adalia McKenzie registered her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Turned in 9 points and 7 rebounds in the first half.
- Kendall Bostic scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
- Reached double digits for the sixth straight game.
- Genesis Bryant hit double figures for the fifth straight game with 14 points and a team-high four assists and two steals.
Team Notes:
- Illinois won the opening tip, though Wisconsin scored first basket of the game.
- The Illini went 4-for-4 to close out the third quarter, including a buzzer-beater 3-pointer from Cook.
- Four Illini scored in double digits.
- Illinois has now had four scorers hit double figures for the sixth time this season.
- The Illini forced 18 turnovers for the fifth time this season.
Misc Notes:
- Starters: Makira Cook, Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Kendall Bostic
- This lineup is now 3-6 on the season.
- Shauna Green is now:
- 28-17 at Illinois
- 155-67 as a Division I coach
- 184-92 overall
- Illinois vs. Wisconsin: 41-42 (83rd meeting)
- Illinois is now 4-4 when wearing white uniforms
- UI is now 5-3 in home games this season.
- The Illini are now 3-7 in games played before 5 p.m.
- The Illini are now 0-1 in January.
