Illinois Women’s Basketball: Lady Illini lose close game against Marquette

Genesis Bryant struggles for Illinois Women’s basketball in Milwaukee.

Illinois Women’s basketball failed an early season road test a few hours north against Marquette, falling 71-67. The Lady Illini led until about 9:00 into the second quarter; they never led again. Genesis Bryant hit consecutive three-pointers that pulled the Illini within one point midway in the fourth quarter, but they could not overtake the Eagles.

Liza Karlen led the Eagles with 22 points, and Jordan King added 19 points and timely free-shooting late in the fourth quarter. Illinois center Camille Hobby led the Illini with 18 points off the bench, and Kendall Bostic added 14 points. Bryant scored 11 points on 4-14 shooting. Shauna Green’s squad never seemed to have a rhythm offensively and was in foul trouble early.

They did show some fight, being down by as many as 11 to the Eagles, but came back to get within one point. Bryant missed a three-pointer to tie the game, and King hit free throws to put the Illini away.

The Breakdown

Illinois led by two points at the end of the first quarter. Bryant and fellow backcourt mate Adalia McKenzie picked up fouls early in the second quarter. Without its starting backcourt for a long stretch in the second quarter, the Eagles outscored the Illini 23-18. Illinois fell behind 11 points in the second frame. Kendall Bostic led a comeback, but Marquette led by three at halftime.

Illinois played from behind for much of the game. They fell behind by 11 points again in the third quarter but battled back to cut the lead to six points heading into the fourth quarter. It was too little, too late for the Blue and Orange.

Takeaways

Bryant’s early foul trouble hurt Illinois. Her two three-pointers in the fourth quarter were the first two the Illini hit in the game. The Illini also missed Makira Cook, a preseason All-Big Ten selection who is out with an injury.