#21 Illini Drop Big Ten Opener in Road Loss to #12 Ohio State

Next Game:
Bradley
12/12/2024 | 6 PM CT

B1G+

Dec. 12 (Thu) / 6 PM CT

 Bradley

COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 21 Illinois opened Big Ten play with a ranked road loss to No. 12 Ohio State, 83-74, on Sunday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center.

The Fighing Illini held leads in both the first and second quarters, but a strong finish to the second period of play from the Buckeyes proved to be the difference as the Fighting Illini dropped their conference opener.

Genesis Bryant led the Illini with 22 points while going 8-for-14 from the field and 4-for-8 from 3-point range. Scoring 20+ points for the second time this season, Bryant made three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and also totaled four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Kendall Bostic posted her fifth double-double of the campaign, which moved her into sole possession of fourth place on the program’s career double-doubles list. Bostic totaled 17 points, a team-high 13 rebounds, and a block.

Jasmine Brown-Hagger added 14 points off the bench, her fourth double-digit scoring outing of the season. She also amassed five rebounds and two assists.

Following a seven-game absence, Berry Wallace collected eight points and three rebounds in her return to her home state, while Brynn Shoup-Hill grabbed six of her 11 rebounds on the offensive glass.

No. 21 Illinois (7-2, 0-1 Big Ten) makes its return to State Farm Center following a four-game stretch away from home when the Fighting Illini host Bradley for an in-state clash on Thursday. The opening tip between the Orange and Blue and the Braves is set for 6 p.m. CT on B1G+, with tickets still available at FightingIllini.com.

HIGHLIGHTS

POSTGAME NOTES

Player Notes:

• Genesis Bryant scored a team-high 22 points, adding four rebounds.
  • Scored in double figures for the fourth time this season.
    • Second 20-point game of the season.
    • Led the Illini at the break with eight points in the first half.
  • Went 4-for-8 from the 3-point line.
    • Matched a season-high in makes from deep.
• Makira Cook scored six points while adding two rebounds and three assists.
  • Has at least three assists in five games this season.
• Brynn Shoup-Hill scored two points while securing 11 rebounds.
  • Fourth double-digit rebounding performance of the season and third such game in her last four.
    • Matched a career high with 11 rebounds.
    • Has at least eight rebounds in six contests this season, including three times in her last four games.
  • Has registered a block in three-straight games.
• Adalia McKenzie scored six points to go along with two rebounds and three assists.
• Kendall Bostic scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
  • Registered her fifth double-double of the season and the 39th of her career.
    • Now moves into sole possession of fourth place on the program’s career double-doubles list.
      • 1. Jenna Smith – 53 (2006-10)
      • 2. Karisma Penn – 42 (2009-13)
      • 3. Chatrice White – 40 (1984-87)
      • 4. Kendall Bostic – 39 (2021-Pres.)
  • Scored in double figures for the eighth time this season, sixth-straight such performance, and the 57th such outing of her career.
  • Continues to climb the program’s all-time rebounding list:
    • 1. Jenna Smith (2006-10) – 1,217
    • 2. Kendall Bostic (2021-pres.) – 1,088
• Jasmine Brown-Hagger scored 14 points and added five rebounds.
  • Was the first Illini off the bench, entering the contest with 5:30 remaining in the first quarter.
  • Fourth-straight game scoring double-digit points.
• Berry Wallace scored a career-high eight points and had three rebounds.
  • Made her return after missing the last seven games with a hand injury, entering the game for the first time with 2:25 left in the first quarter.
  • Scored her first points as an Illini with a layup in the second quarter.

Team Notes:

• The Buckeyes won the opening tip, and Ohio State opened the scoring.
• Illinois has now outscored its opponents, 180-98, in the first quarter this season.
  • The Illini were outscored in the first quarter for the first time this season (18-16).
• The Illini had three scorers in double figures (Bostic, Brown-Hagger, Bryant). 
  • Illinois outrebounded Ohio State, 44-32, the eighth time this season the Illini have won the battle on the boards.
  • Also held a 19-8 advantage on the offensive glass, scoring seven second-chance points.
• The Illini have forced double-digit turnovers in all nine games this season.
  • Scored 18 points off of 14 Buckeye turnovers.
• The Illinois bench outscored its Ohio State counterparts, 22-14.
• The Illini’s 31 points in the fourth quarter marked the team’s highest point total in any quarter this season.

Misc. Notes:

• Starters: Genesis Bryant, Makira Cook, Adalia McKenzie, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Kendall Bostic
  • This lineup is now 6-2 on the season.
  • This group has started 30 games together across the last three seasons, holding a 17-13 combined record.
• Shauna Green is now:
  • 48-27 at Illinois
  • 175-66 as a Division I head coach
  • 204-102 Overall
• Illinois vs. Ohio State: 20-59 (79th meeting)
• The Illini have held opponents at/below 15 points in 22 of 36 regulation periods.
• Illinois is now 2-1 when wearing blue uniforms this season.
• The Illini are now 2-1 in games starting before 5 p.m. CT this season.
• Illinois is now 1-1 in games played on Sundays this season.
• The Illini are now 1-1 in December.