Illinois Women’s Basketball gets Great Game from Makira Cook in loss to #16 Indiana.

Illinois Women’s Basketball Guard Makira Cook scores a season-high 24 points in the road loss to the Hoosiers.

There are no moral victories in sports, but there are many takeaways for head coach Shauna Green and Illinois Women’s Basketball despite the 77-71 loss to Indiana in Bloomington this afternoon. That said, guard Makira Cook looked fully healthy as she scored 24 points — 13 in the fourth quarter — in Illinois Women’s Basketball’s loss to #16 Indiana this afternoon in Bloomington. Illinois (6-6, 0-2) played well in a losing effort.

The Illini have to be encouraged by how well Cook played this afternoon, especially since they got another lackluster performance from Genesis Bryant. The North Carolina State transfer was 4-11 from the field and 3-5 from the free-throw line. Bryant has shot under 45 percent from the field in four of her last five games. Kendall Bostic was outstanding once again for the Illini, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. This afternoon’s double-double was her fourth of the season.

Cook Returning to Form

Cook suffered a concussion in an exhibition against Truman State, missing three games before returning against Notre Dame. It has taken her some time to get acclimated, but she played her best game when the Illini needed it. Cook saved her best for the fourth quarter, scoring 13 points, going toe to toe with Indiana star forward Mackenzie Holmes. She even hit a fadeaway jump shot over Holmes in the final frame. With Bryant having her struggles, Cook’s ability to get her own shot and score outside complements Kendall Bostic’s inside game.

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