(From Illinois Sports Information Office)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Illinois women's basketball had four players score in double figures on the way to an 81-71 win over the Miners at Thursday to close out play in the West Palm Beach Classic.
The Fighting Illini (6-5) were led by Adalia McKenzie, who had 19 points, while Makira Cook tacked on 17 points and nine assists, while Genesis Bryant chipped in as well with 17 points and five assists.
Illinois took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Thursday's game, piling up 18 assists on 28 made field goals. Cook's nine assists paced the Fighting Illini.
Illinois forced 16 UTEP turnovers and turned those takeaways into 21 points on the offensive end of the floor.
How It Happened
After playing to an 11-11 tie early in the game, Illinois went on a 7-0 run with 4:11 left in the first quarter, culminating in a 3-pointer from Jada Peebles, to take an 18-11 lead. The Fighting Illini then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 21-15 advantage. Illinois relied on its 3-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 21 points.
The Fighting Illini maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 34-31 edge. Illinois forced four UTEP turnovers in the period and turned them into seven points.
Illinois surrendered its halftime lead until, with the game tied at 46-46, they went on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Bryant, to grab a 54-46 lead with 3:37 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Miners had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Fighting Illini still entered the fourth quarter with a 58-56 edge and never looked back.
Illinois kept widening that lead, expanding it to 75-68 before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 81-68 with 34 seconds to go in the contest. The Miners narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Fighting Illini still cruised the rest of the way for the 81-71 win. Illinois forced six UTEP turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Player Notes
Team Notes
Misc Notes
Score after 1st Quarter: 21-15
Score at Halftime: 34-31 (13-16)
Score after 3rd Quarter: 58-56 (24-25)
Final score: 81-71 (23-15)
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