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.
FB 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
ListenMay 16 - Hr1 - S4Ep40 - Coaching Contracts, NBA Draft, Football & Golf Updates
ListenBielema and Underwood Earn Contract Extensions - #481
ListenMay 9 - Hr2 - S4Ep39 - Saban, Podziemski & White Sox Struggles
ListenMay 9 - Hr1 - S4Ep39 - Illini Golf, Adkins Golf Club & Illini Recruit JC Anderson
ListenMay 2 - Hr2 - S4Ep38 - Kentucky Derby and NFL Draft Wrap
ListenMay 2 - Hr1 - S4Ep38 - Stojakovic Selects Illinois
ListenAndrej Stojakovic Selects the Fighting Illini - #480
ListenApr 25 - Hr2 - S4Ep37 - Illini Spring Football with Matt Stevens
Listen