Marquette Women’s Basketball Falls to Illinois in Tight Contest

In a closely contested match, the Marquette women’s basketball team suffered a 65-53 defeat at the hands of the Illinois Illini on Sunday night at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. The Illini, now 2-0 for the season, showcased a strong defensive performance that proved pivotal in securing their victory.

Genesis Bryant of Illinois had a standout game, scoring only one point in the first half but erupting for 15 points in the final 20 minutes. She finished with 16 points, going 9-for-11 from the free-throw line, and added four rebounds and one steal to her tally. Adalia McKenzie contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double, while Brynn Shoup-Hill scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. Gretchen Dolan, coming off the bench, added nine points and a steal, with a notable performance in the first half where she scored a team-high nine points.

The game was marked by a slow start for both teams, with neither leading by more than three points in the first quarter. However, Illinois managed to extend their lead through a 6-2 run early in the second quarter and closed the half strong, scoring the final seven points to take a 29-20 lead into halftime. The Illini maintained their advantage throughout the second half, despite a late 7-0 run by Marquette that cut the lead to 58-46 with three minutes remaining. Illinois sealed the win with a series of free throws, extending their lead to 63-46 with 90 seconds left.

The Illini’s success at the free-throw line was a key factor, as they went 31-for-35 on their attempts. This consistent performance at the stripe helped them maintain a significant lead throughout the game. Illinois will look to continue their perfect start to the season when they face Eastern Illinois on Thursday night.