Dec. 22, 2005
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -
Junior Megan McCracken's career-high 25 points included a school-record seven three-point field goals as she led an Illinois State comeback in her season debut, but it wasn't enough as the Redbirds dropped an 85-74 decision to Illinois. McCracken also tied the Assembly Hall record for three-pointers by a visiting player, leading all scorers with a career-high 25 points.
With the win, Illinois extends its series lead to 19-17, improving to 7-3 on the year.
Redbird coach Robin Pingeton was glad to see McCracken back on the court. The guard missed the first eight games of the season with a hip injury, but came out firing on Thursday night. Her return helped, in part, to offset the loss of 6-foot-5 freshman Nicolle Lewis, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
"Getting Megan back on the court was a great Christmas gift," said Pingeton, whose team fell to 5-4 after losing the rebounding battle to Illinois, 48-35. "It was an opportunity for Megan to get her feet wet after missing eight games. We didn't plan to play her that long (34 minutes), but she had a lot of bounce in her step."
Holly Hallstrom, who had 21 points and seven rebounds for ISU, sees the value of McCracken's return.
"A player like Megan really helps our team at both ends of the court," said Hallstrom.
McCracken made her season debut at the 16:19 mark. She had 14 first-half points. Hallstrom added 10 as the pair scored two-thirds of ISU's points in the first half.
ISU trailed early, but, after McCracken's second three-pointer of the game, Ashley Sandstead hit two free throws to tie the score at 23 apiece with 8:41 left in the half. The Illini dominated the next eight minutes, with eight of 12 field goal shooting, aided by seven Illinois State turnovers. Illinois extended their lead to 13, the largest of the first half, led by Erin Wigley's five straight points. Wigley was five of six in the half, with 13 points in 11 minutes. The Illini led 47-36 at halftime.
With two steals in the first two-and-a-half minutes, the `Birds recovered netting two layups to pull within seven, 40-47. The Redbirds made seven of their first 10 baskets, going on a 19-6 run, as Amber Shelton and Hallstrom scored seven each for Illinois State. McCracken then tied the score at 53 on a three-point bucket. After two Kristi Cirone free throws, the `Birds took their first lead of the night, 55-53, with 14:05 left to play.
The Redbirds then went on four minute scoring drought, not making another basket until McCracken drained another three-pointer at 9:52, putting the `Birds up 63-62. With back-to-back three-point baskets, McCracken set the ISU school record with most three pointers in a game, at seven.
Illinois then strung together a 16-6 run, led by guard Janelle Hughes' five points in 50 seconds, putting the Illini up 78-69 with just 2:18 left to play. The Redbird's couldn't find a run of their own, however, as the Illini went on to finish the game hitting.
McCracken led all scorers with 25, while Hallstrom added 21 points in the loss. Illinois was led by Wigley, who finished with 22 points and seven rebounds. Hughes also tabbed 21 points for the Illini.
Illinois State's Lashawn Johnson fouled out at the 7:49 mark, finishing the game with six rebounds but no points. Cirone also fouled out with 27 seconds remaining but finished with seven points and eight assists.
"The fouls really hurt us," said Pingeton, whose team had 24 to Illinois' 19. Johnson and Cirone both fouled out and Hallstrom and Sandstead played with four much of the second half. "We were in foul trouble at all positions."
The Redbirds will take a short holiday break before returning to Redbird Arena for the conference opener on December 30 against Southern Illinois. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
- 30 -
