CHAMPAIGN — Kendall Bostic had 17 points and 14 rebounds, Genesis Bryant scored seven of her 12 points in the fourth quarter and Illinois beat No. 23 Iowa 62-57 on Thursday night.
Illinois (12-4, 2-3 Big Ten) won its second series meeting in the last 10 games, including a 90-86 win at home on Jan. 1, 2023.
Iowa (12-4, 2-3), coming off a 74-66 loss to No. 8 Maryland, has lost back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 1, 2022.
Illinois trailed 29-20 with 4:09 left before halftime before closing on a 7-0 run. Then Adalia McKenzie began the second half with a 3-pointer and the Illini led the rest of the third quarter.
Iowa missed eight straight shots during the run.
The Hawkeyes tied it at 50 with 8:29 left in the fourth but only made two of their next eight shots. Bostic made a basket on back-to-back possessions, including a three-point play, to pull the Illini ahead 57-53 and Bryant added a 3-pointer with 2:31 left for a six-point lead.
McKenzie also scored 12 points for Illinois and Jasmine Brown-Hagger added 10.
Hannah Stuelke had 18 points, 13 rebounds and four assists for Iowa. Lucy Olsen added 16 points and five assists.
Iowa was hurt by going 8 of 17 from the free-throw line and committing 18 turnovers.
Illinois has the weekend off before playing at Indiana on Jan. 16. Iowa hosts the Hoosiers on Sunday.
Originally Published:
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