No. 22 Illinois women hold off Michigan State 86-76

CHAMPAIGN — Makira Cook dinner scored 26 factors, Genesis Bryant added 21 and Adalia McKenzie had a double-double to assist No. 22 Illinois beat Michigan State 86-76 on Sunday on the State Farm Heart.

Cook dinner sank 8 of 21 photographs from the sector and all 10 of her free throws for the Illini (17-5, 7-4 Large Ten). Bryant made 5 of 9 photographs with three 3-pointers and hit all eight of her free throws.

McKenzie contributed 14 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Kendall Bostic had 10 factors and 9 rebounds.

Kamaria McDaniel led the Spartans (11-10, 3-7) with 23 factors. Taiyier Parks had 13 factors on 6-of-7 capturing, Moira Joiner added 11 factors and 6 rebounds and DeeDee Hagemann had 10 factors and eight assists earlier than fouling out.

Spartans coach Suzy Service provider didn’t journey with the staff after a “minor one-car accident as a result of a medical incident” Saturday morning, the college introduced. Service provider, 53, is in steady situation and present process testing at an area hospital. Dean Lockwood served as interim coach towards Illinois.

Hagemann had seven factors, McDaniel 5 and Joiner 4 because the trio led Michigan State to a 16-13 lead after one quarter.

Jayla Oden got here off the bench to attain all six of her factors within the second quarter, and the Illini used a 10-0 run to seize a 28-22 lead with 4:12 left earlier than halftime.

Abbey Kimball hit a 3-pointer to finish the run, however Bostic answered with a layup and Bryant buried a 3-pointer to ignite a 9-0 Illinois spurt that led to a 37-29 halftime lead.

Michigan State battled again within the third quarter, closing to 53-51 on a three-point play by Hagemann on the 2:49 mark. However Cook dinner hit two free throws and Bostic scored the ultimate six factors because the Illini took a 61-52 lead into the fourth quarter.

Bryant sank a 3-pointer, McKenzie hit a jumper and Illinois pushed its result in 66-54 simply 63 seconds into the fourth quarter. McDaniel made a 3-pointer to chop the Spartans’ deficit to 76-72 with 1:07 left.

Bryant and Cook dinner each went 4 for 4 on the line within the closing minute to protect the win.

Illinois shot 51% general and made 5 of 12 (42%) past the arc. Michigan State shot 46% general however simply 30% (8 of 27) from distance.

The Illini cracked the AP High 25 earlier this month for the primary time since Nov. 27, 2000, beneath first-year coach Shauna Inexperienced.