[8] Illinois Concludes Historic Season With Loss at [1] #5 Texas in NCAA Tournament Second Round

AUSTIN, Texas – [8] Illinois’ historic 2024-25 season came to a close in the NCAA Tournament Second Round on Monday afternoon, with the Fighting Illini falling to No. 1-seeded and No. 5-ranked Texas, 65-48, at Moody Center. 

After winning their first NCAA Tournament game since 2000 on Saturday, the Orange and Blue finished the season with 22 wins, tied for their third-most in program history.

Playing in every game across her four-year Illini career, Adalia McKenzie recorded a team-high 13 points in her last contest with the Orange and Blue. McKenzie also tallied three rebounds and three assists.

Berry Wallace scored in double figures for the second straight game, pouring in 12 points for her 12th outing with double-digit points in her freshman campaign at Illinois. Wallace knocked down two 3-pointers while also corralling three rebounds. 

In her 125th and final start with the Illini, Kendall Bostic logged eight points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a block.

Genesis Bryant marked her last appearance representing the Orange and Blue with eight points, including two made 3-pointers, along with five rebounds, three steals, and an assist.

PRESS CONFERENCE

POSTGAME NOTES

Player Notes:

• Kendall Bostic totaled eight points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a block in her 125th and final appearance at Illinois.
  
  • Added to her lead atop the program’s career rebounding list:
    
    • 1. Kendall Bostic (2021-pres.) – 1,352
    • 2. Jenna Smith (2006-10) – 1,217

  • Ended her career in third place on the Big Ten all-time career rebounding list (of players who played in the league):
    • 1. Megan Gustafson (Iowa, 2016-19) – 1,460
    • 2. Jantel Lavender (Ohio State, 2008-11) – 1,422
    • 3. Kendall Bostic (Illinois, 2020-Present) – 1,416
    • 4. Denise Jackson (Indiana, 1981-84) – 1,273

  • Finished in third place on the program’s single-season rebounding list:
    • 1. Jenna Smith (2009-10) – 387
    • 2. Kendall Bostic (2023-24) – 372
    • 3. Kendall Bostic (2024-25) – 358
    • 4. Lynette Robinson (1980-81) – 335
    • 5. Jenna Smith (2007-08) – 329

  • Played her 125th game as an Illini.
    • Tied for sixth on the program’s games played list.
    • Did not miss a game during her time at Illinois while starting all 125 possible games.

  • Had at least six rebounds in all 32 games this season.

• Genesis Bryant registered eight points, five rebounds, three steals, and an assist in her final game at Illinois.
  • Made two 3-pointers, finishing her Illini career in third place on the program’s career makes list:
    • 1. Amber Moore (2009-14) – 295
    • 2. Lori Bjork (2005-08) – 214
    • 3. Genesis Bryant (2022-Present) – 207

  • Had 3+ steals for the fourth time this season.

• Adalia McKenzie marked her final Illini appearance with a team-high 13 points, in addition to three rebounds and three assists.
  • Scored in double figures for the 26th time this season and for the 82nd time in her career.
    • Had 10+ points in the final nine games of her collegiate career.

  • Played her 125th game as an Illini.
    • Tied for sixth on the program’s games played list.
    • Did not miss a game during her time at Illinois, playing all 125 possible games.

• Brynn Shoup-Hill finished the afternoon with four points, two assists, and a rebound.
  • Went 1-1 on 3-point attempts in the contest.
    • Made a 3-pointer in back-to-back games for the second time this season.

• Berry Wallace recorded 12 points and three rebounds in her second NCAA Tournament appearance.
  • Scored in double figures for the 12th time this season.
    • Had 10+ points in each of the Illini’s two NCAA Tournament games.

  • Registered the sixth start of her collegiate career.

• Irene Noya Catoira, Hayven Smith, and Mia Zenere all made their NCAA Tournament debuts.

Team Notes:

• Texas won the opening tip, and the Longhorns opened the scoring on their second possession of the afternoon.
• The Illini had two double-figure scorers (McKenzie [13], Wallace [12]).
• Illinois forced Texas into 10 turnovers and scored 17 points off of them.
• The Illini forced double-digit turnovers in 29 of 32 games.
• Illinois held Texas to 0-for-5 from 3-point range, the third time this season that the Longhorns have been held without a 3-pointer.
• The Illini held the Longhorns to 65 points, tied for their sixth-fewest points in a game this season.
  • Texas’ 65 points are tied for their fewest in a home game this season.

Misc. Notes:

• Starters: Genesis Bryant, Adalia McKenzie, Berry Wallace, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Kendall Bostic
  
  • This lineup went 1-5 this season.

• Shauna Green is now:
  • 63-35 at Illinois
  • 31-26 in Big Ten play
  • 190-86 as a Division I head coach
  • 219-110 overall

• Illinois vs. Texas: 0-4 (fourth meeting)
  
• The Illini moved to 9-10 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Illinois is now 3-3 when playing as the No. 8 seed.
  • UI is now 0-4 when playing as the No. 8 seed against the No. 1 seed.
  • Illinois is 2-5 in the NCAA Tournament Second Round.

• The Illini held opponents at/below 15 points in 70 of 128 regulation periods.
• The Illini finished at 22-10 on the season.
  • Illinois’ 22 wins tied for the third-most victories in a single season in program history.

• The Illini went 4-6 against ranked opposition this season.
• Illinois went 7-5 when wearing blue uniforms this season and are now 17-13 when doing so under Green.
• The Illini went 8-7 in games starting before 5 p.m. CT this season.
• Illinois went 3-1 in games played on Mondays this season.
• The Illini went 1-3 in March.
• Illinois went 11-7 during the 2025 calendar year.
• Illinois went 6-5 in true road games this season.

Score after 1st Quarter: 12-16

Score at Halftime: 18-34 (6-18 Q2)

Score after 3rd Quarter: 53-30 (12-19 Q3)

Score after 4th Quarter: 48-65 (18-12 Q4)