CHAMPAIGN - Behind a strong performance from starting senior guard
Makira Cook, No. 22/23 Illinois closed its five-game season-opening homestand with a decisive 85-66 win over Oregon State on Friday night at State Farm Center. The victory extended the Fighting Illini’s impressive season start to 5-0.
Cook paced the Illini with 20 points, tying her season high, and contributed across the board with eight assists, two steals, and three rebounds. Her scoring surge marked her second 20-point game of the season and the 33rd of her collegiate career, as she continued to establish herself as a key offensive catalyst for Illinois.
Photo: Illinois Sports Information
Makira Cook takes a shot from the paint on her way to a season-high 20 point finish against the Oregon Beavers.
The Illini got off to a fast start thanks to Cook, who accounted for their first six points with back-to-back three-pointers within the opening two minutes. Illinois followed with a 9-2 run to take a commanding 17-6 lead just six minutes into the game. Cook’s early offensive spark helped Illinois maintain control throughout the first quarter, as they entered the second frame leading 21-13.
Illinois’ offense stayed hot in the second quarter, with Cook and forward
Kendall Bostic leading the charge. The Illini opened the frame with a 6-2 run to re-establish a double-digit lead, and their defense stifled Oregon State’s offense, holding the Beavers to just two points over a three-minute span. Cook’s court vision and playmaking were on full display as she orchestrated the offense and found open teammates to keep the Illini ahead 40-30 at halftime.
In the second half, Cook’s contributions extended beyond her scoring, as she dished out several assists to help Illinois maintain its double-digit lead.
"We knew we had to push (the) pace," Cook said. "All of us, we like to run and play fast. Once it's rolling, you just keep rolling with it."
Knowing the plethora of offensive weapons at their disposal, Cook said they can put a lot of pressure on an opposing team's defensive effort. Moving the ball around created open looks and challenged the Beavers' endurance.
"Since we know we are all a threat it makes the game that much harder on the defense," Cook said. "When we are letting the ball just fly to each other, that's making them move around. It's just better for us and harder for them."
Bostic took advantage of Oregon's slack defensive pressure, drilling shots from the mid-court. She finished the night with a career-high 31 points and eight rebounds. Genesis Bryant added 12 points, all scored in the second half, and surpassed the 1,000-point mark for her Illinois career with her final basket.
Illinois’ efficiency on offense was a key factor in the win, as the team shot 53.1% from the field in the first half and maintained its rhythm throughout the game. Cook’s leadership and consistent play were complemented by contributions from across the roster, including Brynn Shoup-Hill, who chipped in eight points and seven rebounds, and Adalia McKenzie, who added eight points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Oregon's offensive effort was led by AJ Marotte, who finished with 16 points, four rebounds and the same number of assists. Senior
Catarina Ferreira went 6-for-11 as the second-leading scorer with 15 points for the Beavers. The Brazilian native lead her team in the paint with 11 boards and was 2-for-5 from three-point range.
Keywords: Makira Cook Illinois basketball, Fighting Illini vs Oregon State, Illinois basketball unbeaten start, Illinois women’s basketball
