Charnette Phelps rebound basket with 1:25 left in overtime gave Texas-El Paso a 72-71 win Sunday at Illinois State. Phelps, who finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds, helped the Miners overcome a 19-point deficit late in the first half to stop a four-game UTEP losing streak.
Shalana Taylor of UTEP broke the Redbird Arena single-game assist record with 13 as the freshman guard played all 45 minutes for the Miners, 3-5. Megan McCrackens career-high 22 points led Illinois States scorers. Holly Hallstrom had a career-high 12 rebounds for ISU, now 3-5. Jaci McCormack had 12 points and 6 assists for ISU, while Katie Donovan (11) and Amber Shelton (10) both also reached double figures for ISU, which shot just 33 percent in the second half after hitting 52 percent in the first 20 minutes.
The Birds came out strong in the first half, building an early 10-point lead, and maintaining it until the ten minute mark of the first half when UTEP cut it down to seven. A three-pointer by Katie Donovan, followed by an easy lay-up by Tiffany Hudson gave the Birds their 10-point lead back with 8:09 remaining. After impressive plays by Amber Shelton and Donovan the Birds continued to widen the gap to 40-22 by the two minute mark, before taking a 43-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
UTEP, 3-5, came out of the half-time locker room on fire, as they shut down the Redbird scoring attack for six and a half minutes while cutting the Illinois State lead to seven. McCracken sank a three-pointer with 13:34 remaining to try and restart the Illinois State scoring surge, increasing the Redbird advantage to 49-39.
But the Miners battled back in the next nine minutes. A jump shot by Izabela Piekarska gave the Miners their first lead since the first seconds of the game, but it was short-lived as Jaci McCormack sank a three-pointer with 3:51 left to give the Birds a 56-55 advantage.
The lead went back and forth between the two teams for the remainder of regulation, as UTEP continued its stifling defense, forcing the Birds to live behind the three-point arc. The second half buzzer sounded with the score tied at 65, taking the game into overtime.
McCracken sank a three-pointer to break the tie with 3:35 remaining in overtime, but UTEPs Kasia Krezel answered back with a three-pointer of her own. A McCormack foul led to two Miner points on free throws by Piekarska, but another McCracken trey gave the Birds a slim 71-70 lead. Angie McGees jump shot in the final seconds of overtime gave the Miners the final lift of the game, as they went on to win 72-71.
Taylor broke the Redbird Arena record, as well as the Miners team record, for assists with 13. UTEP coach Keitha Green was pleased with the play of her point guard, as well as the comeback her team was able to make in the second half.
This team is made up of a lot of new faces, and it starts with her, said Green of Taylor. I think its been an adjustment for both of us, getting to know one another, and her getting a feel for how we play here. Her and I are working together before practice everyday so she can learn. I think your point guard is a reflection of yourself, shes a true point guard and shes more than willing to learn how we do things.
Green was not only impressed with her own team, but also with the Redbirds, giving them accolades for proving to be such a tough opponent.
Illinois State has a very good team, continued Green. Their shooting is phenomenal, every time they got the ball outside with somebody open I was nervous as could be. Theyre just an excellent team, theyre going to have a good year and I truly feel we beat an excellent ball team here today.
Redbird head coach Robin Pingeton was not as quick with the compliments, however, citing her teams lack of intensity as a main reason for the heartbreaking loss.
We just quit battling for several minutes and thats not what this program is about, said Pingeton. I felt like they outplayed us, this was a disappointing game. Im concerned with our intensity and the lack of discipline from our team in the first 10 or 12 minutes of the second half. I give UTEP a ton of credit, they are much better than their record shows.
The Birds return to action Tuesday when the Big Ten visits Redbird Arena. Illinois State will take on in-state rival Illinois in a 7:05 contest.
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