Nov. 20, 2005
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill -
Senior forward Holly Hallstrom tallied a career-high 24 points and added eight rebounds as the Illinois State women's basketball team defeated Loyola-Chicago 82-56 in the Redbirds' regular-season home opener Sunday at Redbird Arena. Freshman point guard Kristi Cirone posted a double-double in her second career collegiate game with 11 points and 10 assists for the Redbirds. Cirone's 10 assists also tied the third-highest total for assists in a game at Redbird Arena.
Sophomore guards Amber Shelton and Ashley Sandstead also added 14 and 11 points for the Redbirds.
Head coach Robin Pingeton was impressed with Hallstrom's second consecutive 20-point performance coming off the bench.
"Holly played tremendous today," said Pingeton. "I think she's kind of like a caged lion looking to get out there when she's on the bench. She has been really attacking the basket when she comes out there and she brings so much energy. Holly is a spark for us on the offense end."
Illinois State (2-0) and Loyola-Chicago (0-2) both began the first half shooting close to 50 percent from the field and over 75 percent from the free throw line until the Redbirds defensive pressure began to wear on the Ramblers. The Redbirds forced 19 turnovers in the first half with many of them leading to a half-ending 12-5 scoring run paced by six points from Hallstrom. The Redbirds ended the half leading 35-26.
The Redbirds started the second half on a 22-13 run with Sandstead scoring eight points, including two jumpers from the beyond the arc. After a three pointer from Loyola's Marquise Hanser, the Redbirds widened their lead as they went on a 16-5 scoring run with Hallstrom leading the way again with 10 points. The Redbirds led by as many as 29 points--73-44--and Loyola continued to be plagued by turnovers, committing 32 for the game. The Ramblers saw most of their offensive production coming from Hanser, who led all scorers with 25 points.
Illinois State was without the services of junior guard Megan McCracken, the Redbirds leading returning scorer from last season. McCracken is sidelined with a stress fracture in her right hip and will miss at least four weeks.
Pingeton was pleased with the team effort from the Redbirds in their first two games without their leading scorer.
"I am ecstatic for these kids," said Pingeton. "We have a lot of things to be proud of after the first two games. It's hard to be without Megan and her scoring and leadership, but our kids have really stepped it up and played as a team."
The Redbirds will play in-state rival Northern Illinois Saturday November 26 at Redbird Arena starting at 4:30 p.m.
