Nov. 18, 2005
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Holly Hallstrom's 21-points and nine rebounds powered the Illinois State women's basketball team to a 70-63 come from behind victory over Chicago State in its season opener on Friday night at the Jacoby Dickens Center in Chicago. The win marked head coach Robin Pingeton's 30th victory at the helm of the women's basketball program.
The Redbirds opened the game trading baskets with Chicago State. However, CSU, which returned all five starters form last years team, forced the `Birds to take shots near the end of the 30 second shot clock nearly every time down the floor for the first eight minutes.
Illinois State hung with CSU until the 13:26 mark when the Cougars went on a 10-1 run led by Ayesha Neasley's six points. Ashley Sandstead then started a 10-4 Redbird run, cutting the Cougar lead to one at 27-26, but Chicago State responded with a 12-2 run to end the half. The Cougar's went into the locker room at halftime with a 39-28 lead.
Freshman point guard Kristi Cirone led the `Birds in minutes (18) and points (8) in the opening half, while Lahsawn Johnson and Hallstrom led the `Birds with five rebounds piece.
Illinois State came out more aggressive in the second half, but CSU managed to hold the Redbirds at bay by nearly 10 points until around the 15:31 mark when the `Birds started chipping away at the lead. Hallstrom led the ISU charge with seven straight points in less than two minutes. Cirone then tied it up at 59-59 on a driving lay-up with 8:02 left in the game.
The `Birds then took their second lead of the game, 63-61 with 6:55 left on a Brea Banks 3-pointer from the left side just in front of the Redbird bench. It was the first time the `Birds had the lead since they led 10-9 with 13:26 left in the first half. Illinois Stat finished the game on a 9-2 run which included seven free throws.
Four Redbirds scored in double figures led by Hallstrom. Cirone chipped in 13 and dished out six assists, while Sanstead contributed 12 points and Amber Shelton added 11.
All eleven Redbirds saw playing time in the season opener, while freshman Cirone and Nicolle Lewis each earned the first starts of their collegiate careers. The `Birds out rebounded the cougars 42-27, and made 16 of their free throws compared to the cougars seven.
Next up for the Birds is their home opener against Loyola Chicago at Redbird Arena at 2:05 p.m.
