Wichita State rode Carlesa Dixon's 20 points and 13 rebounds to a 74-56 victory over Illinois State in a Missouri Valley Conference game Sunday at Henry Levitt Arena, evening the score for a 68-64 Redbird win a month ago in Redbird Arena.
The Redbird loss, which knocked Illinois State out of contention for a spot in the eight-team State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, came despite a heroic effort by Steph Reichle, who had a strong floor game including 11 rebounds, a season-high 7 assists, 7 points and 3 steals. With three field goals, Reichle had a hand in 10 of ISU's 16 baskets, plus one-third of its rebounds and half of its steals.
Redbird coach Jenny Yopp was impressed with Reichle's all-out effort at both ends of the court.
"Steph's focus is always on the right things--helping her team win a basketball game," said Yopp. "She isn't caught up in herself and she helps her team because she does so many things that don't show up in the box score."
Yopp was less impressed with her team's total intensity.
"Wichita State is an athletic team," said Yopp. "But we didn't give the same effort we gave againt them at Redbird Arena. You need to come out and play good defense to win on the road."
Wichita State, 12-13, 7-9 in the Valley, earned a 50-32 rebounding edge, including 20 offensive rebounds. On Senior Day for the Shockers and the final women's baketball game at Levitt, WSU went to the free throw line frequently, hitting 28 of 33 to Illinois State's 19 of 26.
ISU, 6-20, 4-12, shot cold from the start, hitting just 7 of 28 first-half attempts, including a seven-minute dry spell without a field goal. Even though the Redbirds made 11 of 14 free throws in the first half, WSU hit 18 of 19 from the line thanks to ISU's 15 first-half fouls. The 'Birds finished with 27, matching their team high for a game this season.
Leading 39-25 at halftime, WSU pushed the advantage to 20 points thanks to eight Dixon tallies during a 13-4 Shocker run to start the second half. WSU led 52-32 with 14 minutes remaining. ISU came no closer than 16 after that.
The Redbirds finish the season in a special 8:05 p.m. start Thursday at Redbird Arena against Indiana State.
