CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois extended its winning streak to five games with a commanding 73-60 victory over Northwestern on Thursday night at State Farm Center. The Fighting Illini secured their sixth-straight win over the Wildcats, improving to 18-5 overall and 8-4 in Big Ten play this season.
Leading the charge for the Illini was Genesis Bryant, who tallied 20 points, marking her third consecutive game with 20+ points. Bryant was also efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-5 attempts from 3-point range, while adding five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
Kendall Bostic followed up with a strong performance, scoring 15 points for her eighth consecutive game in double figures. Bostic matched her career-high with six assists and added nine rebounds and a season-best three blocks to her stat line. Off the bench, Berry Wallace contributed 14 points, 10 of which came in the first half. This marked her sixth double-digit scoring game of the season. Jasmine Brown-Hagger added nine points, while Adalia McKenzie contributed seven points and three assists.
Despite a late push from Northwestern, Illinois maintained its double-digit lead throughout the second half. The Wildcats trimmed the deficit to 12 late in the third quarter, but Illinois responded with a 7-2 run, regaining a 17-point lead heading into the final frame, 60-45.
Next up, Illinois will travel to Wisconsin for a road contest on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., before returning to State Farm Center for two home games next week.