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University of Illinois Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - March 06, 2025 - Photos taken during the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN (Photo By Sofi Klein/Illinois Athletics)
Illinois Fighting Illini
74
Winner Nebraska Nebr 21-10,10-8 Big Ten
70
Illinois Illini 21-9,11-7 Big Ten
Winner
Nebraska Nebr
21-10,10-8 Big Ten
74
Final
70
Illinois Illini
21-9,11-7 Big Ten
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Nebraska Nebr 15 15 19 25 74
Illinois Illini 19 13 24 14 70

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

[7] Fighting Illini Fall to [10] Nebraska in Big Ten Tournament Second Round

RECAP

INDIANAPOLIS – [7] Illinois fell to [10] Nebraska, 74-70, in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Adalia McKenzie logged her second double-double of the season behind 16 points and a career-high 10 assists. Recording an assist on half of the Illini's first-half field goals, McKenzie also collected six rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, and two steals.

Genesis Bryant recorded her 12th-straight game in double figures, notching a team-high 20 points while making four of her first six attempts from 3-point range. She also totaled five assists, three rebounds, and three steals.

Starting 9-for-10 from the field, Kendall Bostic poured in 19 points, 16 of which came in the first half. She also amassed six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

Jasmine Brown-Hagger added seven points, six rebounds, and two steals off the bench.

HIGHLIGHTS

PRESS CONFERENCE

POSTGAME NOTES

Player Notes:

  • Kendall Bostic poured in 19 points while also logging six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
    • Scored in double figures for the 27th time this season and for the 76th time in her career.
      • Has 10+ points in 14 of the last 15 games.
      • Started 7-for-7 from the field. 
      • Made nine of her first 10 shots.
      • Recorded 10 points (5-for-5) in the first quarter.
      • Tallied a game-high 16 points (8-for-9) in the first half.
    • Added to her lead atop the program's career rebounding list:
      • 1. Kendall Bostic (2021-pres.) - 1,327
      • 2. Jenna Smith (2006-10) - 1,217
    • Remained in third place on the Big Ten all-time career rebounding list (of players who played in the league) and moved closer to the two players above her:
      • 1. Megan Gustafson (Iowa, 2016-19) - 1,460
      • 2. Jantel Lavender (Ohio State, 2008-11) - 1,422
      • 3. Kendall Bostic (Illinois, 2020-Present) - 1,391
      • 4. Denise Jackson (Indiana, 1981-84) - 1,273
    • Moved into fourth place on the program's single-season rebounding list.
      • 1. Jenna Smith (2009-10) - 387
      • 2. Kendall Bostic (2023-24) - 372
      • 3. Lynette Robinson (1980-81) - 335
      • 4. Kendall Bostic (2024-25) - 333
      • 5. Jenna Smith (2007-08) - 329
    • Now ranks third in Illinois history in career rebounds at the Big Ten Tournament.
      • 1. Jenna Smith (2006-10) - 84
      • 2. Lacey Simpson (2006-10) - 71
      • 3. Kendall Bostic (2021-Current) - 60
      • 4. Karisma Penn (2009-13 - 55
    • Now has at least six rebounds in all 30 games this season.
    • Played her 123rd game as an Illini.
      • Now tied for sixth on the program's games played list.
    • Played her eighth complete game of the season and her ninth outing recording at least 40 minutes.
  • Genesis Bryant paced the Illini scoring with 20 points while also adding five assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
    • Logged her team-leading 10th 20-point effort of the season
      • Scored in double figures for the 24th time this season and for the 74th time in her career.
        • Has also done so in 12-straight games.
    • Connected on four 3-pointers to maintain her spot in third place on the Illinois career makes list:
      • 1. Amber Moore (2009-14) - 295
      • 2. Lori Bjork (2005-08) - 214
      • 3. Genesis Bryant (2022-Present) - 203
      • 4. Krista Reinking (1994-98) - 194
    • Made at least four 3-pointers for the seventh time this season.
    • Forced at least three steals for the third time this season.
  • Adalia McKenzie finished the night with a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists, while also totaling six rebounds and two steals.
    • Posted her second double-double of the season and the ninth such performance of her career.
      • Was the Illini's second double-double with points and assists of the season.
    • Scored in double figures for the 24th time this season and for the 80th time in her career.
      • Has 10+ points in each of the last seven games.
    • Set a new career-high with 10 assists.
      • Equaled her career-best tally through the opening 20 minutes, posting seven in the first half.
      • Her 10 assists are a new program record in Big Ten Tournament play.
    • Played her 123rd game as an Illini.
      • Now tied for sixth on the program's games played list.
    • Logged 40 minutes in the contest.
      • Played her fourth complete game of the season.

Team Notes:

  • Nebraska won the opening tip, and the Illini opened the scoring on a Shoup-Hill layup on their second possession of the night.
  • The Illini had three double-figure scorers (Bryant [20], Bostic [19], McKenzie [16]).
  • Illinois opened the game on a 13-2 run, holding the Cornhuskers for over five minutes to start the contest.
    • The Illini forced the Huskers into an 0-for-7 start from the field.
  • Illinois forced Nebraska into 15 turnovers and scored 19 points off of them.
    • The Illini have forced double-digit turnovers in 28 of 30 games.
  • The Illini scored 10 fast-break points while not allowing any.
  • Illinois registered an assist on 20 of 26 made field goals.

Misc. Notes:

  • Starters: Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, Berry Wallace, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Kendall Bostic
    • This lineup is now 0-4 on the season.
  • Shauna Green is now:
    • 62-34 at Illinois
    • 30-25 in Big Ten play
    • 189-85 as a Division I head coach
    • 218-109 overall
  • Illinois vs. Nebraska: 8-21 (29th meeting)
    • Shauna Green's coaching record vs. Nebraska: 3-3
    • Illinois is now 1-3 against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament.
  •  The Illini moved to 23-32 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament.
    • The Illini hold a 2-3 record as the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
    • The Illini are now 2-1 as the No. 7 seed against No. 10 seeds.
    • Illinois is 2-5 all-time in the 7/10 game.
  • No. 7 seeds are 33-31 all-time in Big Ten Tournament history.
  • The Illini have held opponents at/below 15 points in 67 of 120 regulation periods.
  • Illinois is now 13-5 when wearing white uniforms this season and 36-12 when doing so under Green.
  • The Illini are now 13-3 in games starting after 5 p.m. CT this season.
  • Illinois is now 9-2 in games played on Thursdays this season.
  • The Illini are now 0-2 in March.
  • Illinois is now 10-6 during the 2025 calendar year.
  • Illinois is now 1-2 in neutral games this season.

Score after 1st Quarter: 19-15
Score at Halftime: 32-30 (13-15 Q2)
Score after 3rd Quarter: 56-49 (24-19 Q3)
Score after 4th Quarter: 70-74 (14-25 Q4)

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