One of the key components of U.S. Air Force Academy training is leadership, and Illinois State womens basketball coach Robin Pingeton cited leadership as one of the things her team needs to get on track starting with its 7 p.m. game Tuesday against the Falcons.
"We need to find more leadership and that starts with me, said Pingeton, whose Redbirds fell to 1-4 after an 82-70 loss to Oakland on Friday. We're not playing hard enough. We're not playing smart enough.
Allowing 83.8 points per game, the Redbird defense has struggled. Opponents are shooting 47 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range.
We're giving up too many open looks to their shooters," said Pingeton.
A year ago, the Redbirds were 1-3, but were ready to start a seven-game winning streak that gave them their first winning non-conference record in 14 seasons. Improving their defense was a key to that run, which came on the heels of three straight 20-point losses.
ISUs perimeter offense has been a plus, especially with the return of sophomore
Megan McCracken from a foot injury. McCracken (12.5), Katie Donovan (17.2) and Jaci McCormack (11.0) combine for 40 points per game and have more than half of Illinois States assist total.
Freshmen Amber Shelton and Ashley Sandstead give Pingeton strength off the bench. Each is averaging above 8.0 points per game and they rank No. 1 (Sandstead) and No. 2 (Shelton) on the team in steals.
Air Force is 2-3 and led by post player Alicia Steeles 12 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
The Redbirds finish the week with a game a 1 p.m. Saturday game at Loyola of Chicago before the final examination period begins the following Monday. Illinois State restarts its playing schedule with a 2:05 p.m. start Sunday, Dec. 19 against Texas-El Paso in Redbird Arena.
