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PONTE BUGGIANESE, Italy – After arriving in Italy on Saturday, Illinois took the court on Sunday for its opening game of its summer 2024 foreign trip. The Orange and Blue held off Spain & Italy Select in a 67-65 victory from a neutral-site gym in Ponte Buggianese, Italy – about an hour bus ride from the team’s hotel in Florence.
Four Illini scored in double figures, led by senior Adalia McKenzie’s 11 points. Genesis Bryant, Berry Wallace, and Kendall Bostic each added 10 points for the Illini. Bostic turned in a double-double, adding 15 rebounds including five offensive boards. McKenzie and fellow senior Brynn Shoup-Hill each added seven rebounds while Shoup-Hill tallied nine points. Makira Cook registered nine points and a team-high four assists.
Illinois will experiment with numerous lineups and rotations throughout the trip and share playing time. The Illini had 10 players log double-digit minutes against the Select team, with no player exceeding 25. Illinois went with a familiar starting lineup with Bostic, Bryant, Cook, McKenzie, and Shoup-Hill taking the court first while 11 players saw action.
The Illini owned a 10-point lead after the opening quarter with a 24-14 advantage. At the half, the lead shrunk to single digits at eight points (34-26) after Cori Allen hit a two-point buzzer beater to give the Orange and Blue the final score of the half.
Illinois outscored the opponent 16-15 and grabbed 14 rebounds in the third frame to own a 50-41 lead entering the final 10 minutes. Shots finally started falling for Spain & Italy Select in the fourth quarter but the Illini made shots when it counted and came away with the 67-65 victory.
Prior to the game, Illinois walked through Florence and participated in a pizza-making class. The Illini will stay Sunday and Monday nights in Florence, with a bike tour, cooking class, and team dinner still on the docket, before taking the train to Naples on Tuesday. Illinois’ next game is Friday night vs. Amilla Peristeriou.
