Bryant scores 17 and leads No. 8 Illinois to 1st March Madness win in 25 years over No. 9 Creighton
Illinois guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger (8) drives around Creighton guard Molly Mogensen (21) and guard Lauren Jensen (15) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Austin, Texas, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Eric Gay]
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Genesis Bryant scored 17 points and No. 8 Illinois earned its first NCAA Tournament victory in 25 years Saturday night with a 66-57 win over No. 9 Creighton. Illinois’ tough defense frustrated Creighton’s outside shooters as the Illini also dominated the rebounding. Kendall Bostic added 12 points and 17 rebounds for Illinois. Morgan Maly led Creighton with 18 points and Lauren Jensen scored 17. But the Bluejays’ top scorers all season were mostly contained for long stretches. Creighton rallied to within two early in the third before Illinois answered with consecutive 3-pointers from Brynn Shoup-Hill.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Illinois guard Genesis Bryant (1) drives around Creighton guard Kiani Lockett (11) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Austin, Texas, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Eric Gay