PONTE BUGGIANESE, ITALY (Chambana Today) – The llinois women’s basketball team took the opening game in their summer 2024 European trip. The team beat Spain & Italy Select in a 67-65 victory in Ponte Buggianese, Italy – an hour bus ride from the team’s hotel in Florence.
Leading the Illini in scoring was senior Adalia McKenzie, who scored a game-high 11 points. Genesis Bryant, Berry Wallace, and Kendall Bostic each contribute 10 points. Bostic achieved a double-double, pulling down 15 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass. McKenzie and fellow senior Brynn Shoup-Hill added seven rebounds apiece, and Shoup-Hill scored nine points. Makira Cook also scored nine points and had a team-high of four assists.
Throughout the trip, Illinois plans to experiment with various lineups and rotations, sharing playing time among the squad. In the opener, ten players recorded double-digit minutes. No players exceeded 25 minutes on the court. The starting lineup featured Bostic, Bryant, Cook, McKenzie, and Shoup-Hill, while 11 players in total saw action.
Before the game, the team explored Florence and participated in a fun pizza-making class. They will spend two nights in Florence, enjoying activities such as a bike tour, cooking class, and team dinner. Next, they travel to Naples on Tuesday. Illinois’ next game will be on Friday night against Amilla Peristeriou.