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

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

SJO wrestlers still in the mix at sectionals for a spot to the IHSA state wrestling tournament

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden Landen Butts heads back to the bench after his match during the Spartans' home dual against Hoopeston last month. The 144-pounder lost his opening match on Friday. He needs two wins today to advance to the IHSA state wrestling tournament next weekend. Butts and three other sectional qualifiers are still active at the Clinton sectional, hoping to advance to state on the consolation side of their brackets.

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CLINTON - Four wrestlers from St. Joseph-Ogden launched their sectional campaigns yesterday at Clinton High School, aiming for a spot in this year's state tournament at State Farm Center on Friday. Here's a recap of their performances:

Jackson Walsh fell 13-8 in his quarterfinal match against Clinton's Briley Carter in the 113-pound weight class. Walsh started strong, leading 4-2 in the first period with a takedown and a penalty point. In the second period, he maintained control, extending his lead to 6-5 despite conceding a reversal. However, Carter turned the tide in the final period, securing a takedown and nearfall to take a decisive 13-6 lead. Walsh fought back with a reversal in the closing seconds but ultimately moved to the consolation bracket, now aiming for a third-place finish. Today, he faces sophomore Jackson Buehler (25-22) from Camp Point Central.

Cam Wagner began his sectional debut with a victory, pinning Williamsville's sophomore Liam Dodsworth in 2:33. He faced a first-period defeat in his second match against Olympia's Darian Holloway. Wagner advances to the consolation round in the 285-pound bracket, where he will meet Clinton senior Dawson Thayer (26-6).

Another Spartan, Ben Wells, also contends for a third-place finish today. He is set to wrestle Farmington freshman Jayden Schmider (19-24) in the consolation bracket. Wells secured his sectional opener with a second-period pin against Clinton's Cayden Bostic. In his subsequent match, he was pinned in the first period by Canton's Jaxsun Owens.

Today, senior Landen Butts (35-14) continues his pursuit through the 144-pound consolation bracket. Butts narrowly lost his opening match to Normal University's Hayden Washum, 10-8. Washum took an early lead with a takedown and near fall in the first period, leading 5-0. Butts responded in the second period with a reversal, closing the gap. Washum earned an escape point, countered by Butts with a takedown, making it a one-point match. In the third period, Butts briefly led 8-6 with a takedown but was outscored by Washum, who secured a reversal and near fall in the final seconds to win 10-8.

Receiving a bye in the second round of the consolation bracket, Butts faces Olympia's Austin Kisner today. He needs two victories to secure a spot in next week's state tournament in Champaign.

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Illini women crush Truman State at home, 121-60

Illinois' Adalia McKenzie fires a shot above Truman State's Emma Bulman. McKenzie finished the team's only exhibition game of the season with nine points and was 3-for-3 from the free throw line on October 30.

Photo: University of Illinois Athletics/Eleanor Guinan

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CHAMPAIGN - Every player on the Illinois women's basketball team saw at least two minutes of playing time in the Illini's opening exhibition match against Truman State. Eight players finished the night in double figures for the #23 ranked that rolled over the visiting Bulldogs 121-60 on Monday.

Genesis Bryant led the Illini's offensive effort with a team-high 18 points. Jada Peebles entered the game to drop 15 points on TSU, while Kendall Bostic, who hauled down ten rebounds, contributed another 14 points.

"Overall, it was a good outing. Obviously, we shot the ball really well, but on defense, we need to be sharper," said second-year Illinois head coach Shauna Green. "We need to be able to string more possessions together. That's a work in progress. We will continue to get better, but there were too many times where we got beat off the bounce way too easily."

The Illini snagged 11 steals and made 21 out of 27 free throws.

From beyond the arc, Illinois drained 54% of their shots, making 14 out of 26 attempts. Eight of 14 3-pointers found their way through the net in the first quarter.

"It makes us really hard to guard when everyone is shooting threes and knocking them down," Bryant said. "If we could shoot like that all the time, we would be very hard to beat. It's just fun, especially when teammates are knocking them down."

Truman State was paced by freshman Molly Joyce, who came off the bench to score 18 in her college debut. Teammate Lexie White kicked in another 14 points, and Madison Niemeier, a 6-2 junior, added another seven to round out the top scorers for the Bulldogs.

St. Joseph-Ogden product Ella Armstrong saw eight and a half minutes of playing time under the dome against the Illini. The Truman State sophomore hit a field goal against the Big Ten host.

Upcoming Illinios Womens Basketball Schedule

Home games listed in bold

TUESDAY NOV. 7
MOREHEAD STATE STATE FARM CENTER 6 PM

Saturday Nov. 11
at Marquette Milwaukee, Wis. (Al McGuire Center) 2 PM

WEDNESDAY NOV. 15
SAINT PETER’S STATE FARM CENTER 11 AM

Saturday Nov. 18
vs. Notre Dame # Washington, D.C.

SUNDAY NOV. 26
CANISIUS STATE FARM CENTER 1 PM

WEDNESDAY NOV. 29
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE STATE FARM CENTER 6 PM

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Coming up short, four Spartan seasons end at sectionals

CLINTON - On Sunday morning, three St. Joseph-Ogden wrestlers who qualified for sectionals are grappling with season-ending losses, just one victory away from competing at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals this coming Thursday through Saturday. After two days and 18 matches among the four Spartans, their chance for individual glory will have to wait, at least for two of them.

Freshman Ben Wells rebounded from his quarterfinal loss on Friday, winning his next two matches at the Clinton sectional on Saturday. Facing Olympia's Brandon Gaither (40-9) in the 106-pound consolation semifinal, he struggled and fell 17-1 in the second period, concluding his first season with a 38-13 record. Gaither went on to finish third in the division.

Sophomore Cam Wagner also experienced a tough loss in his consolation semifinal to Peoria Notre Dame's Brady Mullen, who defeated him in just 42 seconds. Wagner, in his debut varsity wrestling season, achieved 37 wins against 15 losses.

Senior Jackson Walsh, finishing his final season with over 40 wins, lost his consolation semifinal to PORTA's Kainin Fillbright, who finished fourth in the 113-pound division. Walsh's prep career ended via pin just 57 seconds into the match.

The fourth SJO wrestler at sectionals, senior Landen Butts, faced a challenging draw and concluded the tournament with a 0-2 record. He wraps up the season with a 35-15 record.

Below is the summary of how all four wrestlers performed at the Clinton sectional tournament:

SJO Sectional Summary

144 - Landen Butts (35-15)

Champ. Round 1 - Hayden Washum, Normal University won by decision over Landen Butts - Dec 10-8

Cons. Round 1 - Landen Butts received a bye

Cons. Round 2 - Austin Kisner, Olympia won by tech fall over Landen Butts TF-1.5 5:05 (17-1)

113 - Jackson Walsh (41-10)

Champ. Round 1 - Jackson Walsh received a bye

Quarterfinal - Briley Carter, Clinton won by decision over Jackson Walsh Dec 13-8

Cons. Round 2 - Jackson Walsh won by fall over Jackson Buehler, Camp Point Central - Fall 3:53

Cons. Round 3 - Jackson Walsh won by fall over Bryan Islas, Beardstown - Fall 4:28

Cons. Semi - Kainin Fillbright, PORTA won by fall over Jackson Walsh - Fall 0:57

285 - Cam Wagner (37-15)

Champ. Round 1 - Cam Wagner won by fall over Liam Dodsworth, Williamsville - Fall 2:33

Quarterfinal - Darian Holloway, Olympia won by fall over Cam Wagner - Fall 0:53

Cons. Round 2 - Cam Wagner won by tech fall over Dawson Thayer, Clinton - TF-1.5 1:44 (15-0)

Cons. Round 3 - Cam Wagner won by fall over Joey Humphries, Dee-Mac - Fall 4:56

Cons. Semi - Brady Mullens, Peoria Notre Dame won by fall over Cam Wagner - Fall 0:42

106 - Ben Wells (38-13)

Champ. Round 1 - Ben Wells won by fall over Cayden Bostic, Clinton - Fall 2:53

Quarterfinal - Jaxsun Owens, Canton won by fall over Ben Wells - Fall 1:43

Cons. Round 2 - Ben Wells won by fall over Jayden Schmider, Farmington -Fall 0:50

Cons. Round 3 - Ben Wells won by fall over Kole Petta, El Paso-Gridley - Fall 3:37

Cons. Semi - Brandon Gaither, Olympia won by tech fall over Ben Wells - TF-1.5 2:37 (17-1)

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