Jaci McCormack and Katie Donovan each chipped in nine points a piece while Stacey White contributed eight as the Illinois State womens basketball team held off the Chicago Challengers 55-51 in an exhibition win at Redbird Arena Sunday afternoon. The Redbirds finish their preseason 1-1 with the victory.
With 1:22 remaining in the game, the Birds were only up by one before a foul on Carla Stone of Chicago Challengers sent Donovan to the line. Her two free throws gave Illinois State a three-point cushion before Desiree Gutierrez was fouled with no time remaining. She hit one of two and the Redbirds stayed on top in the end.
Illinois State only lost the lead at one point in the game, with 9:26 in the second half. A jumper on Marilyn Bishop put the Chicago Challengers up by one. But that was the only time the lead shifted in 40 minutes of play.
With 26 fouls and 30 free throws, the first half didnt have much of a flow. The Redbirds came out strong, though, playing good defense and converting drives to the basket from their offense. Jaci McCormack, coming off the bench, gave the Birds a lift. She was one of eight ISU players to score in the first 12 minutes as the Birds took a 24-8 lead, their biggest, on McCormacks basket with 8:06 left.
Then, Mfon Udoka took over. She scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Challengers closed to within 28-24 until McCormacks buzzer-beating three-pointer gave Illinois State a 31-24 halftime advantage.
The Redbirds open the regular season Saturday at Western Michigan and play their first home game Monday, Nov. 25 vs. Butler in Redbird Arena.
