Freshman Sara Stevensons only field goal of the game gave Illinois State its first second-half lead with 1:23 left as Illinois State overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to beat Southwest Missouri State, 58-54, in a Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Thursday at Redbird Arena.
The Redbirds, 3-10 overall, 1-3 in the Missouri Valley, notched their first conference win of the year with the help of Sharon Blades 11 points and game-high 7 rebounds. The Bears, led by Stephanie Busbeys ll points off the bench, fell to 7-7 overall, 3-2 in the Valley.
SMS led 41-27 with 15:50 left in the game when Jaci McCormack began the Redbird comeback with a swishing three-pointer from the corner. Three-point plays by Blade and Taren OBrien--who led all scorers with 15 points--helped guide that comeback in which ISU out-scored the Bears 31-13 in the final 15 minutes, including an 11-0 shutout in the final 3:50.
Charlotte Nelsons two free throws put SMS up 54-47 at that point. OBrien responded with a bucked-and-free throw three-pointer. McCormack buried another trey in between grabbing a long rebounding and forcing an SMS turnover. That set up a set play which saw Michelle Harakas get the ball on the baseline, pitch it out on the wing to Stevenson who drained just her second field goal of the year to put ISU ahead. Two more Redbird stops turned into a free throw by McCormack and a pair by OBrien to put the game away.
Im an emotional coach, and I understand that its just one game, but our kids need to feel this, Redbird coach Jenny Yopp said. We couldnt have earned it any better. We made some important adjustments in our game. When were able now to make the adjustments in a timeout, when Taren runs the show like that, thats what Ive been waiting for. Kids that are experienced enough, confident enough to make changes, get it done on the defensive end every time down, and obviously for your point guard to lead you.
In the first half, the Bears got 18 points out of their bench after two starters went out with early foul trouble. ISU enjoyed an early 12-9 lead on Erin Keeneys two free throws with 12:45 left before Stephanie Busbey came off the bench and added nine points inside to help SMS with an 11-0 run on the way to a 34-23 halftime advantage.
But the Redbird defense, which included work by Stevenson against the Bears perimeter players, registered the shut-downs needed in the second half. SMS didnt score a field goal after the 5:38 mark, going 0-5 from the field and registering six turnovers on its final 10 possessions. That gave Stevensons shot a chance.
Within the offense, we look for our posts first, and, if the shot is there for us, we shoot it, Stevenson said. Since it was open, I was going to take it.
McCormack applauded Stevensons courage.
Offensively for Sara to step up and take that shot was huge, McCormack added. I think that this game is huge for our confidence. Its always big to get that first conference win.
The Redbirds play host to Wichita State, a 93-86 winner at Indiana State on Tuesday, at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. The Bears will travel to Indiana State for a Saturday matchup.
