By IlliniGuys Staff

November 22, 2024

Genesis Bryant scored 12 points to join the Illini's 1,000-point club in Friday night's win over Oregon State. (Courtesy Illinois Athletics)

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Kendall Bostic scored a career-high 31 points and joined Genesis Bryant as the newest members of the Illini 1,000-point club as 22nd ranked Illinois rolled past visiting Oregon State 85-66 at State Farm Center Friday night.

The Beavers are coming off an NCAA Elite Eight trip and is a team known for its defense, but couldn't contain the Illini as they gave up their biggest point total since December, 2022.

The 6'2" Bostic excelled despite an Oregon State front line boasting 6'7" Sela Heide and 6'5" Kelsey Rees. She scored 14 points in the first half as Illinois (5-0) built a 40-30 halftime lead. But Bostic was perfect in the second half, going 8-for-8 from the field for 17 points. Bostic is the 31st player in program history to score 1,000 points, doing so in the three-plus years since transferring from Michigan State after her freshman season.

Bostic also becomes just the 4th player in school history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds, joining Illini legends Jenna Smith, Karisma Penn, and Wendy Dallas in that exclusive club.

Bryant scored 12 points, all in the second half, to become the program's 32nd 1,000-point scorer since coming over from North Carolina State prior to her junior season. She had been held to just 36 points on 33 percent shooting all season before breaking through against the Beavers.

Makira Cook added 20 points and dished out eight assists, while controlling an offense that committed just five turnovers before a crowd of 3,891. Every crowd on this season-opening five-game home stand was larger than 3,500.

AJ Marotte led Oregon State (1-4) with 16 points.

The Illini now leave home for the first time with a pair of games in Nashville. They face Maryland-Eastern Shore Tuesday afternoon before a Top 25 showdown against unbeaten and 15th ranked Kentucky Wednesday evening.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.