OrangeandBlueNews – Illini women’s basketball improves to 17-5 with win over Michigan State

Champaign, IL – In the course of a resurgent season below first-year coach Shauna Inexperienced, No. 22 Illinois posted one other large convention win 86-76 over Michigan State on Sunday night time at State Farm Middle.

The win over the Spartans improved Illinois to 17-5 on the season, 7-4 within the Massive Ten. The Illini are tied with Michigan in fourth place within the Massive Ten. They obtained again within the win column after dropping a house recreation to Purdue final week.

“This was a much-needed win in response to the Purdue loss, so simply actually pleased with our efficiency and with our battle,” Inexperienced mentioned. “The previous few days have been two of our higher days of follow by way of power and simply consideration to element and focus.”

4 totally different Illini completed in double figures. led by guard Makira Prepare dinner with 26 factors. Prepare dinner’s clutch free throws down the stretch sealed the victory. She additionally registered 4 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Genesis Bryant, the No. 2 three-point shooter within the Massive Ten, kicked in recorded 21 factors, her eleventh consecutive recreation in double figures. Bryant scored 11 factors within the fourth quarter,

Adalia McKenzie did nearly every little thing within the win, securing her fourth double-double of the season with 14 factors and 11 rebounds. McKenzie additionally recorded a season-high six assists,

McKenzie supplied a spark for the Illini early within the recreation, scoring the crew’s first six factors as the 2 sides traded baskets. She rebounded from a subpar recreation within the loss to Purdue during which she had simply two factors and dedicated 4 turnovers.

“My focus and confidence,” McKenzie mentioned about what led to her bounce-back recreation. “I am surrounded by nice folks. They’re all the time pushing me to do my greatest, however as a crew, we’re all the time collectively and simply all the time having that bounce-back mentality.”

Illinois outscored the Spartans 24-13 within the decisive second quarter. Prepare dinner performed the whole quarter and scored 8 factors to tempo Illinois. Jayla Oden got here off the bench to attain 6 factors within the quarter.

The sport was gained on the free throw line. Illinois drew 21 fouls and made 23-24 from the road, together with 10-10 from Prepare dinner and 8-8 from Bryant.

Senior guard Kamaria McDaniel led Michigan State with 23 factors. The Spartans fall to 11-10 on the season, 3-7 within the Massive Ten.

Illinois (17-5, 7-4) hits the street in its subsequent recreation, heading north to Ann Arbor to take No. 13/17 Michigan (17-5, 7-4) on Thursday night time at 5:30 p.m. CT.