Mackenzie Holmes became the third consecutive Hoosier to score 30 points as Indiana Women's Basketball put away the Illinois Fighting Illini in a challenging game 77-71. There were 11,600 fans at Assembly Hall to see the Hoosiers take on their interstate rivals this afternoon. Illinois trailed by as many as 12 points but made it a game late.
Illini guard Makira Cook played her best game of the season, scoring 24 points, but it was not enough. Forward Katie Bostic added a double-double (18 points and 11 rebounds) for Illinois. Today was a game of runs. Indiana went on an 11-0 run early. Illinois countered before halftime, including a three-pointer by Genesis Bryant that cut Indiana's lead to six points.
Indiana committed many sloppy turnovers in the third quarter but still held a two-point lead going into the final frame. The Hoosiers were outstanding at the free throw line late in the game, which was the difference in the win for Indiana.
Here are three takeaways from this afternoon's game.
3. Illinois could not handle the Pick and Roll
Indiana had a definite size advantage in this game, especially in the backcourt. Despite Illinois' guards not backing down, they struggled to fight through screens all afternoon. Indiana dominated in the paint, scoring 44 points. Indiana scored easy baskets because Illinois could not stop the pick-and-roll. Mackenzie Holmes was the recipient of many of those easy baskets.
Sophomore Lilly Meister benefitted from the pick and roll game as well, scoring eight points off the bench.