Genesis Bryant leads Illinois women to victory over UMES

In the United States, on November 25, 2024, the No. 19 ranked Illinois women's basketball team faced off against Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in the Music City Classic held in Nashville, Tennessee. The team, under the guidance of third-year coach Shauna Green, demonstrated a dominant performance, securing their sixth consecutive win of the season, pushing their overall record to 6-0. The game started strong for Illinois, who opened with a series of nine consecutive points and maintained a double-digit lead, demonstrating their powerful offensive strategy. The key moments came midway through the second quarter when UMES managed to stage a comeback, scoring 13 points in a row and narrowing the gap to 32-22. However, Illinois quickly regained their momentum, responding with aggressive plays, notably a crucial basket from Makira Cook that ended a scoring drought and helped extend their lead. By halftime, Illinois had established a comfortable cushion, leading 43-26. Genesis Bryant emerged as the standout player of the match, scoring a total of 27 points, marking her first game this season with over 20 points, while Kendall Bostic contributed with 12 points and 11 rebounds, achieving her third double-double of the season. Additionally, Cook added 15 points, highlighting her offensive presence. On the other side, UMES was largely held back; they struggled offensively, achieving just 25% shooting from the field and failing to make any three-point shots in the first half. Zamara Haynes led UMES with 20 points, yet her team's efforts fell short against a well-coordinated Illinois squad. Following this impressive victory, Illinois will remain in Nashville to take on No. 14 Kentucky in their next game, which could present a significant challenge given Kentucky's strong ranking. Meanwhile, UMES is set to travel to Piscataway, New Jersey, to compete against Georgia Southern in the upcoming Battle on the Banks. This game further emphasizes Illinois's strong start this season and sets an optimistic tone as they continue to build on their success with upcoming matches that will test their skills against higher-ranked opponents.