Illinois Ends 24-Year Drought with Statement NCAA Tournament Victory Over Creighton

For the first time since 2000, Illinois Women’s Basketball can celebrate an NCAA Tournament win. The Fighting Illini made history Saturday night at the Moody Center, toppling No. 23 Creighton 66-57 in a gritty first-round matchup. The victory not only marks a turning point for head coach Shauna Green’s program but also cements Illinois’ presence among the nation’s rising contenders.

The win was emblematic of what this Illinois team has become: tough, resilient, and increasingly comfortable on the national stage. Leading for the final 34 minutes, the Illini withstood every Creighton run with poise and purpose, showing growth in ways the program hadn’t demonstrated in decades.

A Night of Milestones and Mastery

The night belonged to several key Illini stars, but none more than senior forward Kendall Bostic, whose dominance on the glass set the tone. With a season-high 17 rebounds—the most ever by an Illinois player in an NCAA Tournament game—Bostic became the program’s all-time leader in double-doubles (54) and further extended her reign atop the school's all-time rebounding list. She added 12 points, two assists, two blocks, and a steal in what was a complete, legacy-defining performance.

“I just wanted to do whatever it took to get us to the next round,” Bostic said postgame. “We’ve worked too hard to go home early.”

Guard Genesis Bryant continued her red-hot scoring streak, leading Illinois with 17 points and playing all 40 minutes for the seventh time this season. Her two three-pointers and six clutch free throws in the closing moments extinguished Creighton's hopes of a comeback. Bryant also surpassed 1,500 career points, another milestone that speaks to her consistent excellence.

Meanwhile, Adalia McKenzie filled the stat sheet once again, contributing 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Her coast-to-coast layup early in the fourth quarter after a steal reinvigorated the Illini and gave them breathing room during a tense stretch.

Freshman Berry Wallace impressed in her NCAA Tournament debut with 11 points and five rebounds, showing poise far beyond her experience. Her late-game offensive rebound and putback in the final two minutes helped preserve the lead at a critical juncture.

Sophomore Brynn Shoup-Hill chipped in nine points, including two pivotal third-quarter three-pointers that shifted momentum back to Illinois. Though her stat line wasn’t eye-popping, her timing was crucial.

Game Flow: Controlling the Chaos

The Illini dictated the pace early, opening with an 18-10 first-quarter lead behind a 7-0 run that featured contributions from three different players. Illinois built a 12-point cushion in the second quarter before Creighton clawed back with a 7-0 stretch of their own. Still, Illinois entered halftime up five, shooting a solid 48% from the field.

Creighton made multiple pushes in the second half, closing within two points twice in the third quarter. But each time, Illinois responded with maturity—Shoup-Hill’s threes, Bostic’s boards, and Bryant’s control at the line kept the Bluejays at bay.

The defining moment came with 1:39 left in the game. After missing a free throw, Wallace grabbed the offensive rebound and converted a critical putback to push the lead back to six. From there, Bryant calmly sank six free throws to ice the game.

Illinois' ability to win the physical battle was a difference-maker. The Illini outrebounded Creighton 33-23, including nine offensive boards, and outscored them 32-22 in the paint. The win marked their fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season—tying a program record set in 1999-2000.

Bostic’s Career Arc: One of the Greats

It’s impossible to overstate Bostic’s impact. With her latest performance, she further distanced herself in multiple statistical categories:

• All-time double-doubles leader in program history (54)
• Most rebounds in a single NCAA Tournament game for Illinois (17)
• 1,344 total career rebounds, leading the Illinois record book and climbing toward the top of the Big Ten all-time list (currently third)
• Played and started in 124 consecutive games, never missing a contest in her Illinois career

Her dominance is not just statistical but cultural—she embodies the identity shift that this program is undergoing under Shauna Green.

A Program on the Rise

Illinois improved to 22-9 on the season, tying for the third-most wins in program history. The victory also snapped a three-game NCAA Tournament losing streak, pushing the program’s all-time record in the tournament to 9-9.

Notably, Illinois played only six players in the game—the fewest of any team in the tournament’s opening round—showcasing the trust and endurance of its core rotation.

Head coach Shauna Green, now in her third season, continues to build credibility. She improved to 63-34 at Illinois and moved her all-time coaching record to 219-109. Her team is now a perfect 17-0 when holding opponents to 60 points or fewer, underscoring the defensive blueprint she has instilled.

Creighton’s Legacy Still Intact

For Creighton, the loss marked the end of an era. The 2024-25 senior class—Mallory Brake, Jayme Horan, Lauren Jensen, Molly Mogensen, and Morgan Maly—leaves behind a legacy of transformation. After enduring a 10-12 COVID-shortened season, they led the Bluejays to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run and a near second Sweet 16 bid this season.

Creighton finishes the year at 26-7, but the groundwork has been laid. The expectation now is postseason play—not just hope, but standard.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Illinois advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where it will face the winner of No. 5 Texas vs. No. 12 William & Mary. Regardless of opponent, the Illini now carry the confidence and momentum of a team that knows what it takes to win in March.

This isn't just a single win. It’s a signal to the rest of the NCAA landscape: Illinois is back.

Key Stats:

• Illinois: 66
• Creighton: 57
• Rebounds: Illinois 33, Creighton 23
• Points in the Paint: Illinois 32, Creighton 22
• Free Throws (Final 2 minutes): Bryant 6-for-6
• Top Scorers: Bryant (17), McKenzie (14), Bostic (12), Wallace (11)

Fun Fact: Illinois is now 14-3 in games played after 5 p.m. CT this season—a night owl’s dream team.

Illinois fans can finally say it out loud: March is Orange and Blue again.