Emily Durr Assistant Coach/Director of Recruiting Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Emily Durr Assistant Coach/Director of Recruiting Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Illinois women's basketball team secured a decisive 79-62 victory over Stony Brook in the second round of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) at State Farm Center. This win propels them into the quarterfinals, marking their final home game of the 2023-24 season.
Adalia McKenzie led the Illini with a career-high 28 points, her second consecutive game scoring over 20 points. She shot an impressive 12-for-16 from the field and added seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal to her performance. Kendall Bostic contributed significantly with her seventh double-double in eight games, scoring 19 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Makira Cook also achieved a double-double with 14 points and a record-setting 10 assists for a single-game postseason performance.
The Illini took control early in the game with a strong start, opening on a 6-2 run. Although Stony Brook briefly narrowed the gap to one point, Illinois responded effectively, ending the first quarter with a significant lead of 27-16. The team's dominance continued into the second quarter as they extended their advantage to double digits by halftime.
Despite Stony Brook's efforts to close the gap in the third quarter, Illinois maintained its lead throughout. The Illini's largest lead reached up to 25 points during this period. The final frame saw Stony Brook attempt another comeback but was unable to overcome Illinois' commanding position.
Reflecting on her team's performance, head coach Shauna Green expressed satisfaction: "I'm just really, really proud of our overall team effort in order to get this win." Looking ahead, Illinois will face Tulsa in their upcoming WBIT quarterfinal match.
Illinois has demonstrated consistent success under Coach Green's leadership over two seasons. While expressing contentment with current achievements, she emphasized ongoing aspirations: "We're going to continue striving to be better."
Kendall Bostic highlighted how facing tough competition within Big Ten prepared them well for postseason challenges: "It prepares us really well...playing [top teams] night in and night out."
With its recent victory against Stony Brook secured convincingly at home court advantage before traveling away next week against Tulsa – expectations remain high among players like Adalia McKenzie who values these opportunities: "We get another opportunity...to reach our goals as a team."
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