Makira Cook’s 20 points leads Illinois past Oregon State

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.

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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.

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Keywords: Makira Cook Illinois basketball, Fighting Illini vs Oregon State, Illinois basketball unbeaten start, Illinois women’s basketball

Bostic delivers career night, propelling No. 22 Illinois in victory over Oregon State

Photo: Illinois Sports Information

CHAMPAIGN - Kendall Bostic delivered a historic performance Friday night, leading No. 22/23 Illinois to a commanding 85-66 victory over Oregon State at State Farm Center. Showcasing their dominance against a fellow Power 5 program, the Fighting Illini closed their five-game homestand with a perfect 5-0 record.

Bostic stole the spotlight with a career-high 31 points, shooting an ultra-efficient 15-for-18 from the field, and grabbing eight rebounds. In the process, she reached two monumental career milestones: surpassing 1,000 points at Illinois and becoming just the fourth player in program history to amass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Her seventh rebound of the night pushed her past Karisma Penn into second place on Illinois’ all-time rebounding list with 1,044 boards.

"I've been working on that mid-range part of my game and they sunk so far off it was like I didn't really have a choice but to shoot," Bostic said. "Luckily, everything was falling for me tonight."

The senior forward's 31 points marked her first career 30-point outing and her second-consecutive 20-point game this season. Her offensive efficiency—an 83.3% shooting clip—stands as one of the best performances of her Illini career.

Illinois dominated the game from the outset. Makira Cook set the tone early, scoring the team’s first six points on consecutive three-pointers within the first two minutes. An ensuing 9-2 run stretched Illinois’ lead to 17-6 just six minutes into the contest. By the end of the first quarter, Illinois held a 21-13 advantage, with Cook leading the way with eight points.

"I'm really happy how we played," said head coach Shauna Green. "We are really playing well together. I love how we are sharing the ball. Seventeen assists again tonight. (We're) playing with at great deal of connectiveness and confidence."

The Illini never let up, outscoring Oregon State 21-15 in the second quarter to take a 42-28 lead into halftime. Bostic reached double figures with 3:42 left in the half, underscoring her relentless scoring effort.

Cook finished with 20 points, tying her season high, along with eight assists, two steals, and three rebounds. Genesis Bryant came alive in the second half, scoring all 12 of her points after the break and becoming the second Illini player of the night to hit the 1,000-point career mark. Contributions from Brynn Shoup-Hill (eight points, seven rebounds) and Adalia McKenzie (eight points, four rebounds) rounded out Illinois’ balanced attack.

Defensively, Illinois held Oregon State to 37.9% shooting and forced 16 turnovers, translating to 21 points off those opportunities. The Beavers, known for their stingy defense under long-tenured head coach Scott Rueck, allowed their second-highest non-conference scoring total since 2004-05 as the Illini shattered their season average of 59.3 points allowed per game.

The win extends Illinois’ active winning streak to an impressive 10 games, the second-longest in the country.

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Keywords: Kendall Bostic career high night, Illinois women’s basketball, Fighting Illini vs Oregon State recap, Kendall Bostic 1,000 points 1,000 rebounds

Photo Gallery |Mahomet-Seymour wins semifinal over DePaul

NORMAL - Mahomet-Seymour's Ellie Barker cheers with teammates Ava Yeakel, Erin Dallas and Anna Streicher after a point during second set action against DePaul College Prep during Friday's semifinal match at CEFCU Arena. The Bulldogs advanced to the title game after defeating the Rams in straights 25-18, 25-22. A day later, Mahomet-Seymour went on to win the Class 3A title, beating Limestone in an exciting three-setter 22-25, 25-22, 25-18. Below are 21 more photos from the opening match.

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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Keywords: Mahomet-Seymour State Volleyball Champions, DePaul Rams, State Volleyball, Mahomet Volleyball Team

Listening to your ill-tuition: 5 symptoms women shouldn't ignore

Brandpoint - When it comes to health, women's intuition isn't just a hunch - it's practically a superpower. According to recent research from MD Live by Evernorth, more than two-thirds of women say they have a sixth sense when it comes to their health. This "ill-tuition" is the innate ability to sense when something may be wrong with your body - and 81% of women trust it. Yet, despite this trust, most women hold off on seeking care until their symptoms interfere with their daily lives, instead of being proactive at the first sign that something is off. This delay can lead to unnecessary worsening of symptoms.

"Many common symptoms can be early warning signs of an underlying health condition. Ignoring your body's signals can prevent timely diagnosis and treatment," explains Dr. Vontrelle Roundtree, Associate Chief Medical Officer for MD Live by Evernorth. "Trusting your intuition and acting on it early can make all the difference in managing your health."

Roundtree discusses five common symptoms that women tend to dismiss, according to the research, what conditions they may point to and why it's important to seek timely medical care when your intuition sounds the alarm.

1. Itching that doesn't go away

Itching may seem like just a minor annoyance, but if it's persistent, it may point to various underlying health issues. Itching could signal hormonal fluctuations, skin conditions like eczema, or even liver or kidney problems. Itching without a visible rash can be a sign of broader health issues because it often indicates that the root cause lies beneath the surface of the skin rather than on it. For pregnant women, persistent itching may be a symptom of cholestasis, a liver condition that requires immediate medical attention.

2. Persistent bloating

Bloating is normal after eating a big meal or when experiencing the occasional digestive issue. But, when bloating occurs frequently, it could be a sign of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Bloating that gets worse over time could be a symptom of stomach inflammation or certain cancers. In fact, bloating is one of the more common early warning signs of ovarian cancer, caused by the buildup of fluids in the stomach.

3. Fatigue

Feeling tired is often unavoidable, especially for women balancing work, family and other responsibilities. However, when that tiredness becomes persistent and starts affecting your quality of life, it might point to fatigue, a debilitating condition that significantly impacts your daily life. Fatigue is often a symptom of an underlying chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, depression or thyroid disorders. If a good night's sleep or taking time to rest doesn't make a noticeable difference in your energy levels, it's time to consult a doctor to explore the potential causes.

4. Unexplained weight fluctuations

It's not uncommon for a woman's weight to naturally fluctuate, especially during their menstrual cycle. However, unexpected weight gain or loss can indicate hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems or metabolic disorders. When weight changes are sudden and not resulting from changes in your diet or exercise routine, it's important to rule out any larger health issues, like cancer or chronic illness.

5. Chronic anxiety

Although anxiety is commonly associated with mental health disorders, its presence can also point to underlying physical health issues. If you're feeling anxious without a clear reason, or your anxiety is constant, it's important to explore whether a physical condition could be contributing. Anxiety is often linked to cardiovascular diseases and endocrine problems, like hyperthyroidism. Regardless of whether it stems from something physical or mental, early intervention is critical.

Your first call: A doctor

These symptoms may not always seem urgent, but it's important not to ignore them, especially if they become persistent or chronic. "If you feel something is off with your health, trust your intuition and seek medical advice promptly," Roundtree advises. "Doctors are here to help you get to the bottom of your symptoms - no matter how big or small they may seem." When your instincts tell you something is off, you can schedule a virtual visit with an MD Live board-certified doctor to get an expert medical opinion without unnecessary delays.

Remember, it's always better to address a potential health concern when it's small rather than wait until it becomes more serious. The next time your ill-tuition kicks in, trust it.

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Goal getter's guide: Tips for upping your credit score game

BRANDPOINT - As any athlete will tell you, you can't win unless you have a game plan.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the personal savings rate in the U.S. hovers below 4%, while household debt and credit card delinquency rates are both rising, especially among Gen Z, as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

In the game of life, saving should be just one part of your financial strategy but knowing the benefits of responsibly managing your credit is equally important. Whether you are gearing up to buy a home, get an education or start a business — understanding your FICO^® Score is an important first step in laying the foundation for financial literacy.

That’s why this summer, FICO, a leading software analytics company, teamed up with Chelsea Football Club and the U.S. Soccer Foundation to offer free financial education workshops for students and adults in the cities where Chelsea is playing on their summer tour.

Workshop participants were also able to attend their local match for free.

Here is a starter playbook of the 3 ways soccer and financial literacy are similar:

• Know Your FICO^® Score. A credit score is a three-digit number that helps lenders, such as a mortgage company, auto lender, or credit card issuer, quickly (based on data and without bias) determine how likely you are to repay a loan as agreed. The higher your number, the more likely it is lenders will offer you credit and better repayment terms such as interest rates.
  
  Many factors go into your FICO^® Score. It’s calculated based on data that is collected by the three major credit bureaus. This data is grouped into five categories: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit (10%) and credit mix (10%). Because your credit report changes based on your financial behaviors, like whether you pay your bills on time, so does your FICO Score. That means it’s important to know how your financial choices can impact your FICO Score.
  
  You can check your FICO^® Score for free at https://www.myfico.com/free.
  
  
• Have a Game Plan. Championships don’t happen accidentally. They require thoughtful planning, precise execution, and the ability to make in-game adjustments as events unfold. It’s just as important to have a game plan for your household finances to help foster positive habits such as creating a monthly budget, setting a system to stay up to date on bill payments, and keeping credit card balances under control.
  
  FICO also offers free educational resources on myfico.com relating to budgeting — like a college budget calculator and articles about budgeting systems and budgeting for couples.
  
  
• Focus on Continuous Learning and Improvement. Athletes continuously train to stay in shape and are always looking for ways to improve their skills. You can do the same to understand more about building good financial habits. FICO has developed many free educational tools and resources to help educate people throughout their financial journeys.

To access useful educational resources — and find out how to participate in a live or virtual Score A Better Future™ workshop — visit https://www.fico.com/sabf/.

Whether your goal is purchasing a home, financing a car, or simply starting off your financial journey strong, these educational tips can help you win in the game of life.

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