By IlliniGuys Staff

January 30, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Genesis Bryant scored 13 of her game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter and then drained three free throws in overtime to put Illinois up for good as they hammered out a 69-65 victory at Rutgers Thursday night.

The Illini had to come from behind multiple times in the game. They fell behind 20-9 in the first quarter when Bryant came to the rescue, scoring 10 points in a 20-2 run as Illinois took a 29-22 lead.

Rutgers pulled within 34-32 at halftime and held Illinois (16-5, 6-4 in Big Ten) to just four field goals to take a 49-42 lead into the fourth quarter. That's when Bryant took over. The veteran hit a free throw with 24 seconds left to tie the game at 61, but missed the second one that would have given Illinois the lead.

The Scarlet Knights took the lead in overtime on a Kiyomi McMiller jumper, but Bryant hit all three free throws after she was fouled shooting a three pointer to give Illinois the lead for good.

Bryant drained a season-high five three pointers and added six rebounds for Illinois, who wins its third straight game and fifth in its last six games. Adalia McKenzie added 11 and Brynn Shoup-Hill and Kendall Bostic scored 10 each. Bostic added 11 rebounds for her 48th career double-double.

McMiller finished with 22 for Rutgers (9-13, 1-10).

Illinois finishes its two-game road trip at 14th ranked Maryland. That's a 12pm CT tipoff and can be seen on Big Ten Network Plus.