By IlliniGuys Staff

November 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Kendall Bostic scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Illinois overcame a cold-shooting start to defeat Lewis University 80-53 in an exhibition game Friday night at State Farm Center.

Sophomore Gretchen Dolan scored 16 points off the bench in Friday night's exhibition win over Lewis University Friday night. (Courtesy Illinois Athetlics)

It’s the Illini’s first full game action this postseason and gave head coach Shauna Green and her staff an opportunity to evaluate a roster that boasts four returning starters from last season’s Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament championship and four newcomers, including McDonald’s All-American Berry Wallace.

The former Ohio prep star scored four points in 14 minutes of action off the bench.

Sophomore Gretchen Dolan, who stepped up and provided key play on the wing after Jada Peebles suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, scored 16 points and pulled down five rebounds in 19 minutes of action. But she also committed a team-high five turnovers.

Career 1,000-point scorer Adalia McKenzie was the other Illini in double figures with 13 points.

Illinois shot just 6-of-17 from the field in the first quarter, which ended with a 13-13 tie, as Bostic stood out. The senior forward scored eight points in each of the first two periods to allow the Illini to warm up and go into the locker room with a 35-27 lead.

Bostic also drained both three point attempts after going 0-for-25 from the arc in her sophomore and junior seasons and hitting just nine long-range shots last season.  She added three blocked shots on the night as well.

Illinois overpowered the Flyers in the second half, hitting 57 percent from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Taylor Gugliuzza led Lewis with 15 points.

The Illini will open the regular season against #19 Florida State Thursday night (6pm, BTN+) at State Farm Center.