[7] Fighting Illini Fall to [10] Nebraska in Big Ten Tournament Second Round

INDIANAPOLIS – [7] Illinois fell to [10] Nebraska, 74-70, in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Adalia McKenzie logged her second double-double of the season behind 16 points and a career-high 10 assists. Recording an assist on half of the Illini’s first-half field goals, McKenzie also collected six rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, and two steals.

Genesis Bryant recorded her 12th-straight game in double figures, notching a team-high 20 points while making four of her first six attempts from 3-point range. She also totaled five assists, three rebounds, and three steals.

Starting 9-for-10 from the field, Kendall Bostic poured in 19 points, 16 of which came in the first half. She also amassed six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

Jasmine Brown-Hagger added seven points, six rebounds, and two steals off the bench.

HIGHLIGHTS

PRESS CONFERENCE

POSTGAME NOTES

Player Notes:

Kendall Bostic poured in 19 points while also logging six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.


Scored in double figures for the 27th time this season and for the 76th time in her career.


Has 10+ points in 14 of the last 15 games.
Started 7-for-7 from the field. 
Made nine of her first 10 shots.
Recorded 10 points (5-for-5) in the first quarter.
Tallied a game-high 16 points (8-for-9) in the first half.


Added to her lead atop the program’s career rebounding list:

1. Kendall Bostic (2021-pres.) – 1,327
2. Jenna Smith (2006-10) – 1,217


Remained in third place on the Big Ten all-time career rebounding list (of players who played in the league) and moved closer to the two players above her:

1. Megan Gustafson (Iowa, 2016-19) – 1,460
2. Jantel Lavender (Ohio State, 2008-11) – 1,422
3. Kendall Bostic (Illinois, 2020-Present) – 1,391
4. Denise Jackson (Indiana, 1981-84) – 1,273


Moved into fourth place on the program’s single-season rebounding list.

1. Jenna Smith (2009-10) – 387
2. Kendall Bostic (2023-24) – 372
3. Lynette Robinson (1980-81) – 335
4. Kendall Bostic (2024-25) – 333
5. Jenna Smith (2007-08) – 329


Now ranks third in Illinois history in career rebounds at the Big Ten Tournament.

1. Jenna Smith (2006-10) – 84
2. Lacey Simpson (2006-10) – 71
3. Kendall Bostic (2021-Current) – 60
4. Karisma Penn (2009-13 – 55


Now has at least six rebounds in all 30 games this season.
Played her 123rd game as an Illini.

Now tied for sixth on the program’s games played list.


Played her eighth complete game of the season and her ninth outing recording at least 40 minutes.


Genesis Bryant paced the Illini scoring with 20 points while also adding five assists, three rebounds, and three steals.

Logged her team-leading 10th 20-point effort of the season

Scored in double figures for the 24th time this season and for the 74th time in her career.

Has also done so in 12-straight games.




Connected on four 3-pointers to maintain her spot in third place on the Illinois career makes list:

1. Amber Moore (2009-14) – 295
2. Lori Bjork (2005-08) – 214
3. Genesis Bryant (2022-Present) – 203
4. Krista Reinking (1994-98) – 194


Made at least four 3-pointers for the seventh time this season.
Forced at least three steals for the third time this season.


Adalia McKenzie finished the night with a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists, while also totaling six rebounds and two steals.

Posted her second double-double of the season and the ninth such performance of her career.

Was the Illini’s second double-double with points and assists of the season.


Scored in double figures for the 24th time this season and for the 80th time in her career.

Has 10+ points in each of the last seven games.


Set a new career-high with 10 assists.

Equaled her career-best tally through the opening 20 minutes, posting seven in the first half.
Her 10 assists are a new program record in Big Ten Tournament play.


Played her 123rd game as an Illini.

Now tied for sixth on the program’s games played list.


Logged 40 minutes in the contest.

Played her fourth complete game of the season.

Team Notes:

Nebraska won the opening tip, and the Illini opened the scoring on a Shoup-Hill layup on their second possession of the night.
The Illini had three double-figure scorers (Bryant [20], Bostic [19], McKenzie [16]).
Illinois opened the game on a 13-2 run, holding the Cornhuskers for over five minutes to start the contest.

The Illini forced the Huskers into an 0-for-7 start from the field.


Illinois forced Nebraska into 15 turnovers and scored 19 points off of them.

The Illini have forced double-digit turnovers in 28 of 30 games.


The Illini scored 10 fast-break points while not allowing any.
Illinois registered an assist on 20 of 26 made field goals.

Misc. Notes:

Starters: Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, Berry Wallace, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Kendall Bostic


This lineup is now 0-4 on the season.


Shauna Green is now:

62-34 at Illinois
30-25 in Big Ten play
189-85 as a Division I head coach
218-109 overall


Illinois vs. Nebraska: 8-21 (29th meeting)

Shauna Green’s coaching record vs. Nebraska: 3-3
Illinois is now 1-3 against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament.


 The Illini moved to 23-32 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament.

The Illini hold a 2-3 record as the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Illini are now 2-1 as the No. 7 seed against No. 10 seeds.
Illinois is 2-5 all-time in the 7/10 game.


No. 7 seeds are 33-31 all-time in Big Ten Tournament history.
The Illini have held opponents at/below 15 points in 67 of 120 regulation periods.
Illinois is now 13-5 when wearing white uniforms this season and 36-12 when doing so under Green.
The Illini are now 13-3 in games starting after 5 p.m. CT this season.
Illinois is now 9-2 in games played on Thursdays this season.
The Illini are now 0-2 in March.
Illinois is now 10-6 during the 2025 calendar year.
Illinois is now 1-2 in neutral games this season.

Score after 1st Quarter: 19-15
Score at Halftime: 32-30 (13-15 Q2)
Score after 3rd Quarter: 56-49 (24-19 Q3)
Score after 4th Quarter: 70-74 (14-25 Q4)