With 50 points, 21 rebounds, 13 assists and 11 steals in three games, Illinois State guard Jaci McCormack may have done enough to merit consideration for State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week heading into the final seconds of Sundays overtime game with Bradley. But McCormack wasnt quite finished. Her 51st and 52nd points of the week were the difference in Illinois States 79-78 overtime victory over Bradley shown on Fox Sports Net Sunday afternoon. That may have been the clincher.
McCormacks stat line helped the Redbirds go 3-0 for the week, extending their longest winning streak in seven years to seven games. ISU is 2-0 and in a three-way tie for the Missouri Valley Conference lead. She had 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals against Bradley, including the winning basket with 18 seconds left in overtime against Bradley.
The junior guard from Lapwai, Idaho who prepped at Lake Oswego High School in Portland, Oregon, has been a vital cog in the Redbirds seven-game winning streak, averaging 14.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.7 assists. One of the Valleys most versatile players, McCormack ranks among the leagues Top 15 in seven of the 12 recognized categories: steals (6th), three-point field goal percentage (10th), three-point field goals per game (12th), free throw percentage (14th), assists (15th), assist/turnover ratio (15th) and defensive rebounds (15th).
Redbird assistant coach Willie Cox, who had a 10-eyar career as a college mens assistant at Bradley and Loyola of Chicago before 10 years as a prep girls coach, thinks McCormacks toughness elevates her game.
Jacis tough. When youre talking about a palyer to step up and take the tough shot, she certainly belongs up there among the best Ive seen, said Cox.
She joins teammate Katie Donovan as the second Redbird to earn State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week this season. Its the second time McCormack has been so honored in her Redbird career.
