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Canisius University Athletics

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Sisi Eleko jumps for the tip-off against Illinois on Nov. 26, 2023
Max Sacco
58
Canisius Canis 2-3,0-0 MAAC
90
Winner Illinois Illini 3-2,0-0 Big Ten
Canisius Canis
2-3,0-0 MAAC
58
Final
90
Illinois Illini
3-2,0-0 Big Ten
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Canisius Canis 11 20 12 15 58
Illinois Illini 23 27 23 17 90

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Illinois Defeats Women's Basketball

Illinois had five players score in double figures as it defeated Canisius, 90-58, in intercollegiate women's basketball action Sunday afternoon at the State Farm Center in Urbana-Campaign, Ill.
 
Genesis Bryant scored a game-high 21 points to highlight a balanced Fighting Illini (3-2) attack that shot shot 50% from the floor for the contest (32-of-64). On the glass, Adalia McKenzie collected a team-best seven rebounds as the hosts enjoyed a 39-29 advantage on the glass.   

For the Golden Griffins (2-3), sophomores Sisi Eleko and Brooklyn Thrash led the way with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Eleko also paced the Griffs in rebounds with six with graduate students Grace Heeps and Bri Rozzi close behind at five each. Senior Mackenzie Amalia dished out six helpers for the visitors.
 
The Griffs and Illini would find themselves caught in a close affair during the early stages of the first quarter before a 3-pointer by Amalia would give the Griffs an 11-9 lead with 5:37 to play. The Illini would take over to close the frame, however, going on a 14-0 run to enter the second quarter ahead, 23-11.
 
The second frame saw both teams get off to a hot start offensively as the Griffs and Illni combined for 47 points and shot better than 56 percent from the field (17-of-30). Even with sharp shooting from both teams, Illinois would enter the half ahead, 50-31.
 
In the second half, the Illini would use multiple scoring stretches across the final two frames to seal the victory.

POSTGAME COMMENTS  GAME NOTES
• Sunday's contest served as the first meeting between Canisius and Illinois. 
• Sunday's game was also first meeting between Canisius and a Big Ten school since Dec. 11, 2016, when they faced No. 12 Ohio State.
• Canisius only attempted five free throws the entire contest, going 4-of-5 at the charity stripe. The last time Canisius attempted five or less free throws in a game was on Jan. 23, 2023 against Manhattan.
• The Griffs 20 points in the second quarter are the most this season during the second stanza. The last time Canisius scores 20-or-more points in the second quarter was a 20-point outing on Feb. 17, 2023 against Fairfield.
• Canisius committed 20 turnovers compared to seven from Illinois. 30 of the Illini's 90 points came from turnovers compared to six for the Griffs.   
• Every Canisius player that played today scored at least two points
 
UP NEXT
Canisius continues its six-game road swing Nov. 30 against Little Three rival St. Bonaventure. Tip-off at the Reilly Center in Olean, N.Y., is set for 7 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN+.

SUPPORT THE GRIFFS
Support the Canisius women's basketball team in conjunction with the "More Than A Game" campaign. Your donation to the women's basketball program helps our student-athletes continue to be champions in the community, in the classroom and in competition. To donate, CLICK HERE.

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