Illinois Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Oregon State with 85-66 Victory
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 22/23 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini continued their stellar start to the season, defeating Oregon State 85-66 on Friday at State Farm Center. This victory marked the end of a successful five-game homestand, leaving Illinois with an undefeated 5-0 record.
Kendall Bostic led the charge for the Illini, scoring a career-high 31 points while also reaching the significant milestone of 1,000 career points. Her impressive performance included 15-of-18 shooting and eight rebounds. Makira Cook added 20 points—matching her season-best—along with eight assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Genesis Bryant contributed 12 points, all in the second half, alongside four assists.
The Illini surged to a fast start, with Cook hitting two consecutive three-pointers to kick off the scoring. A 9-2 run helped Illinois establish a double-digit lead at 17-6 midway through the first quarter. By the end of the first quarter, Illinois held an 8-point lead. They maintained control throughout the game, with several runs ensuring they never trailed.
Bostic and Cook both reached double figures before halftime, in which Illinois shot 53.1% from the field. The team further extended their lead in the third quarter with a notable 14-2 run, pushing their advantage to 69-41.
Illinois will now shift their focus to an away stretch, starting with a matchup against Maryland Eastern Shore on November 26 as part of the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn., with tipoff slated for 1:15 PM CT, available for streaming on BallerTV.
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Photo credit fightingillini.com