Nov. 5, 2005
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Odyssey's Amy Herrig-Tanny had 23 points and 15 rebounds as Odyssey defeated Illinois State 64-57 in an women's basketball exhibition game Saturday at Redbird Arena. Former Redbird Katie Donovan added 11 points for Odyssey, while junior Megan McCracken led the Redbirds with 17 points.
Head coach Robin Pingeton felt this exhibition game was good preparation for the upcoming season.
"Tonight was a good chance to see where the team is offensively and defensively," said Pingeton. "Everything that went wrong tonight is correctable. We will have a fun week of practice next week."
Odyssey, which improved to 14-0, started the game with an early 9-4 run. The `Birds were able to tie the game at 11-11 on a Kristi Cirone layup, but then were held scoreless for nearly five minutes. Odyssey led by as many as ten points, but the `Birds battled back to cut the lead to four on a jumper by McCracken with 1:17 left in the half. Three free throws put Odyssey ahead 32-26 at the end of the half with Herrig-Tanny leading all scorers with eleven points and nine rebounds.
Both teams did not shoot well in the first half, with each team shooting under 30 percent from the field. There was also only one three-pointer made in the half , courtesy of McCracken. Odyssey held the rebounding edge 32-22.
The second half began with Odyssey and the Redbirds trading baskets, with Odyssey leading 40-32 with 13:49 left. Odyssey then went on a 7-0 scoring run to give them the largest lead of the game at 53-39. Illinois State rallied to cut the deficit to 57-53 on a pair of free throws from Amber Shelton with 1:51 left in regulation but that was as close as the `Birds would get.
Shelton chipped in 10 points for the Redbirds and Holly Hallstrom added eight points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
Donovan made her return to Redbird Arena and was glad to get the chance to play one more time at her old home.
"Tonight was fun," said Donovan. "I definitely felt like I was at home. It's always great to play at Redbird Arena in front of the great fans."
