LOCAL ROUNDUP: No. 23 Illinois women cruise in opener
Nov. 9—CHAMPAIGN — Senior guard Genesis Bryant scored a career-high 32 points, Kendall Bostic had a double-double and 23rd-ranked Illinois beat Morehead State 81-61 in a season opening matchup on Tuesday night.
Illinois established a 13-2 lead when Bostic made a pair of layups, Bryant and Adalia McKenzie each had one, Jada Peebles made a jump shot and Brynn Shoup-Hill made a 3-pointer.
Illinois finished the first quarter up 20-11 after shooting 9 for 18 and never trailed.
The Illini's 24-point second quarter matched Morehead State's first-half total and they led 44-24 at halftime.
The 5-foot-6 Bryant, in her second year at Illinois following two seasons at North Carolina State, finished 12-for-16 shooting, including 2 for 5 from 3 and 6 for 7 from the foul line. Bostic had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Veronica Charles scored 16 points for Morehead State.
It was only the second contest between the two teams, with Morehead State winning 89-72 at a neutral site in the 1978-79 season.
Illinois is ranked in the Associated Press preseason poll for the first time since the 1999-00 season.
PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
Seeger 49, S. Newton 7
KENTLAND, Ind. — The Seeger girls basketball team made sure its trip to South Newton was a fun one.
The Patriots jumped out to a 28-3 halftime lead and would end up winning 49-7 on Tuesday.
Rylea Wetz led Seeger with 11 points, while Caleigh Purcell had nine, Addie Shrader and Cadence White each had seven points and Allie Johnson added six.
The Patriots are 2-0 and will hope to have the same success on the road on Friday, when they play Benton Central
Southmont 55, N. Vermillion 50
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — The North Vermillion girls basketball team fought hard against Southmont, but lost a 55-50 overtime thriller on Tuesday.
Kera Dunham had 19 points to lead the Falcons, while Cadence Dunham had 11 points and Lauren Ellis and Braxtyn Dunham each added 10 points.
The Falcons will return to action on Thursday, when they play South Vermillion at the Banks of the Wabash Tournament.
Clinton Central 60, Fountain Central 38
MICHIGANTOWN, Ind. — The Fountain Central girls basketball team lost in its first road game of the season on Tuesday, falling to Clinton Central 60-38.
Henley Good had 18 points for the Mustangs, while Hannah Prickett had eight points.
Fountain Central will stay on the road on Friday against Lafayette Jefferson.
