Illini Secures NCAA Tournament Spot with Win Against Bluejays
The Illinois women’s basketball team has ended its long wait for an NCAA tournament victory. The eighth-seeded Illini triumphed over ninth-seeded Creighton with a score of 66-57 in their first-round match in Austin, Texas. This win marks Illinois’ first NCAA tournament victory since 2000, and notably, none of the current players were born when that last win occurred.
Coach Shauna Green expressed her overwhelming pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “It really hasn’t hit me yet. We were so locked into the game… Our defense was absolutely amazing.”
With a record of 22-9, the Illini are set to face either top-seeded Texas or 16th-seeded William & Mary on Monday. The senior leadership of Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, and Kendall Bostic was pivotal in overcoming the Bluejays, with Bryant leading the team with 17 points, McKenzie contributing 14 points and seven rebounds, and Bostic achieving a double-double with 12 points and a record-breaking 17 rebounds in a single NCAA tournament game.
Green highlighted Bostic’s impact, mentioning, “She was huge down the stretch. We went to her late, and she made some big-time plays.” The senior Brynn Shoup-Hill also made key contributions, scoring nine points, while freshman Berry Wallace added 11 points, making a crucial offensive rebound that helped maintain Illinois’ lead in the closing moments of the game.
As the Illini gear up for Monday’s matchup against potentially the top seed Texas, they are taking a moment to celebrate their milestone victory, with Bostic remarking, “This is what I came here to do: to turn a program around… a great way to start off the tournament, but also a great way to end the year.”
Cobras Come Close in National Title Game
The Parkland men’s basketball team nearly captured the NJCAA Division II national championship but fell short against Kirkwood, losing 55-54 at Mary Miller Gym. The Cobras were looking for their second national title, having last won in 1986.
Parkland found itself trailing but managed to tie the game with under a minute remaining, only to have Kirkwood secure the win with a late free-throw. JaMonte Williams led the Cobras with 17 points while Drew Lewis Jr. contributed 14 points. Despite a strong effort in the second half, Parkland couldn’t seize the lead when it mattered most and ended their season with a record of 33-3, the best in program history.
