By IlliniGuys Staff

February 13, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Adalia McKenzie scored a game-high 19 points to pace Illinois to a 67-55 win over Penn State Thursday night at State Farm Center.

The former Miss Basketball in Minnesota came through in the clutch for the Illini. Down to the upset-minded Nittany Lions 48-43 after three quarters, the senior scored six of her points to fuel a 13-2 run to start the quarter and stake the Illini to a 56-50 lead.

McKenzie also grabbed eight rebounds as Illinois (20-5, 10-4 in Big Ten) recorded its second 20-win season in three years under head coach Shauna Green. She joins Theresa Grentz, who earned four 20-win campaigns, as the only Illini women's coaches to win 20 games in multiple seasons.

Genesis Bryant scored eight of her 18 points in the final quarter as she showed no ill effects of the ankle injury that forced her to leave Sunday's win at Wisconsin late in the third quarter.

Kendall Bostic scored 12 points and collected eight rebounds and joined McKenzie in playing all 40 minutes. Jasmine Brown-Hagger added 10 points.

Gabby Elliott led Penn State (10-15, 1-13) with 16 points while Gracie Merkle recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Former Illini guard Jayla Oden scored six points off the bench.

The Illini return to action Sunday when they host Nebraska. That's a 4pm CST tipoff and can be seen on Big Ten Network.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.