By IlliniGuys Staff
December 29, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
MADISON, Wisc. - Adalia McKenzie scored a career-high 26 points as the red-hot Illinois women's basketball picked up where they left off before Christmas break with a convincing 79-63 win at Wisconsin Thursday night.
The victory is the fifth in a row for Illinois (12-2, 2-1) and gives first-year head coach Shauna Green her first Big Ten road win as coach of the Illini.
The game marked the first action for leading scorer Makira Cook, who hadn't played since the win at Butler on December 11th due to illness. But Cook put her stamp on the game early with an assist on a Genesis Bryant three-pointer and then hitting a jumper for an early 11-4 Illini lead.
The Badgers put together their best effort with a 9-0 run to close within 30-29 in the second quarter, but Illinois answered with a 6-0 run of its own.
McKenzie continues to flourish in coach Green's offense, logging a season-high 36 minutes while recording her fifth game of 20 points or more, all since Thanksgiving. The sophomore hit 14-of-15 free throws in the game, including 5-of-6 as part of a 10-point fourth quarter to help keep Wisconsin (4-10, 0-3) at bay.
Cook finished with 23 points, her second highest total of the season. Bryant added 14 points for her third straight double-digit scoring effort. Kendall Bostic grabbed nine rebounds, including the 500th of her career.
Illinois is now over .500 in conference play for the first time since 2017 and will now put their perfect 7-0 home record on the line as they host 12th ranked Iowa on New Year's Day at State Farm Center (2pm,BTN).
Illinois Athletics State of the Union Discussion - #487
ListenWhitman's Illini State of the Nation & the NBA Draft - 6.27.25 - S4Ep46
ListenZach Hamer Illini Asst BB Coach Talks KJ, Will & the NBA Draft - #486
ListenIllini FB Recruiting Update, If Illini FB was a Movie & NIL & NBA Draft "What If" #485
ListenIllini BB International Players & Cearah Parchment the newest IlliniGal - 6.20.25 - S4Ep45
ListenIllini FB Recruiting Blitz & House Settlement Implications - 6.13.25 - S4Ep44
ListenIllini Update Featuring 3-Star Illini WR Commit Kenyon Alston - #484
ListenIllini Hoops & Football Schedules, Illini HOF Voting & More - 6.6.25 - S4Ep43
ListenFB Portal Thoughts, Expectations, BB Update & for the 1st Time in My Life...#483
ListenMay 30 - Hr2 - S4Ep42 - Illini Recruiting, NBA Draft, Caitlin Clark & More
ListenMay 30 - Hr1 - S4Ep42 - FB & BB Contracts, FB & Golf Update & Brian Barnhart
ListenMay 23 - Hr2 - S4Ep41 - French Open, Indiana Pro Hoops & Softball
ListenMay 23 - Hr1 - S4Ep41 - Illini FB Recruiting, Golf and Track
ListenHigh School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482
ListenMay 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium
Listen