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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois opened its 2024-25 slate with an exhibition victory over Lewis, 80-53, on Friday night at State Farm Center.
Three Fighting Illini student-athletes scored in double figures, including a game-high 22-point effort from Kendall Bostic.
Head coach Shauna Green, who enters her third season at the helm of the Illinois women’s basketball program, used the exhibition to give playing time to 12 different players. The Illini reloaded with six new faces joining the squad over the summer, but the Illini’s starting lineup remained constant: Genesis Bryant, Makira Cook, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Adalia McKenzie, and Kendall Bostic.
Bostic led the Illini in scoring, reaching double figures before halftime while going 7-for-9 from the field and amassing eight rebounds, three blocks, and one assist.
Gretchen Dolan also tallied double-digit points, totaling 16 points off the bench. Three of Dolan’s five boards came on the offensive glass, and she dished out two assists.
McKenzie added 13 points, five rebounds, three steals, and three assists.
Illinois opens the regular season at State Farm Center on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT against No. 19 Florida State. Tickets for the ranked matchup are available at FightingIllini.com.
Notes
12 Fighting Illini student-athletes earned playing time in the exhibition.
Nine different Illinois players recorded at least one point in the win.
Four newcomers saw the court for the Orange and Blue.
Three Illini scored in double figures in the exhibition victory.
Head coach Shauna Green improved to 3-0 in exhibition games at Illinois.
Attendance was called at 3,556.
Starters: Genesis Bryant, Makira Cook, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Adalia McKenzie, Kendall Bostic.
