Steph Reichles approach to rebounding in Illinois States 64-57 overtime upset of Missouri Valley Conference leader Creighton reflects what she and her teammates hope to do on this weekends road trip to play Evansville and Southern Illinois.
Once I got a couple of rebounds, I wanted them all, said Reichle, whose career-high 17 rebounds against the Jays were the second-highest Illinois State total in Redbird Arenas 13-year history. This team is hungry that way. We got a big win. Now were ready to build on that.
Evansville, 7-8 overall, 2-3 in the Valley, is led by reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week LaTasha Austin. The senior guard leads the Aces with 14 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.7 steals per game. She has stepped up her production over the past three weeks since the Aces lost Valley Player of the Year candidate Shyla McKibbon-Puelston to a career-ending knee injury.
Losing McKibbon is huge for them, said Redbird coach
Jenny Yopp, whose Redbirds are 3-11 overall, 1-4 in the Valley. But they are still a veteran team (six seniors). Now, they have become just a little more perimeter-oriented, but their posts (Jamie Gray and Jenna Hayes) still are outstanding threats.
Evansville is coming off a split of the Wichita State-Southwest Missouri State road trip, having upset the Shockers 70-67 before dropping a 66-54 decision at SMS on Monday. Austin had 36 points on the trip, including 24 at WSU.
A year ago, the Redbirds beat Evansville twice--something only Drake and Southwest Missouri accomplished besides the Birds. Yopp believes her experienced players should feel confident playing in Roberts Stadium (7 p.m. start).
The win there last year should give us added confidence, said Yopp, whose team will be without 2000-01 scoring leader
Sharon Blade, who likely will miss two weeks with a foot injury. We will miss having Sharon on the court, but its an opportunity for other players to step up.
One of those is senior
Kristi Larson, who led the Birds with 14 points in the win over Creighton and has been shooting well recently. Two who figure to see more court time in Blades absense are freshman
Michelle Harakas and junior
Stacey Nickerson.
This team has proven it can come together, said Larson. Against Creighton, we did what it took to win. Sharon plays a big role for us. Now, its up to me and Michelle and Stacey Nickerson to step up even more.
The Redbirds continue their road trip at Southern Illinois, where Illinois State has won just once in its last 15 visits, taking a 59-58 squeaker on a Jenny Schmidt scoop shot with 0:00.2 remaining. The Salukis, 4-10 overall, 0-5 in the Valley, have lost their last seven in a row.
Weve proven we can get in the (conference) race with our win over Creighton, said Yopp. We just have to prove we can put some great efforts together for wins.
