Making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1989, Illinois States womens basketball team fell to the Baylor Bears 91-70 in first round action Saturday at Bank of America Arena.
Despite battling a case of the flu, both Jaci McCormack and Holly Hallstrom still played against the Bears and managed 20 and eight points respectively. McCormack was her teams leading scorer in her final game in an Illinois State uniform as the Redbirds finish the season 13-18.
Any time you have the flu, its tough on your body, McCormack said. But I didnt want to use that as an excuse. I just wanted to go out and play basketball.
Head coach Robin Pingeton was proud of her teams effort afterward.
This has been a great run, Pingeton said. To have two of our starters sick and to see the toughness of our team, Im very proud of everyone.
The Redbirds started out the game missing their first nine shots from the field as Baylor took control early with a 17-0 lead. In that span, Illinois State turned the ball over six times compared to only two for the Bears.
Lashawn Johnsons basket inside finally got the Redbirds on the board at the 14:20 mark. Baylors Steffanie Blackmon kept Illinois State at a distance however, scoring 10 of her teams first 23 points on 4-of-4 shooting. Illinois State finished the first half 9-of-23 for 31 percent as Baylor led 43-23 at halftime.
Holly Hallstrom and Michelle Harakas scored the first two baskets for the Redbirds in the second half to cut the Baylor lead to 43-27. With Baylor up 55-33, Sophia Young caught fire and dominated the post, scoring six straight at one point.
Both teams traded baskets throughout the early part of the second half with McCormack earning two straight trips to the free throw line as well as knocking down a three-pointer to make the score 71-48. Baylor scored 10 straight after McCormacks basket to raise the lead to 81-48 at the 7:39 mark.
Our basketball team was very focused, Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson said. Im glad the first one is behind us. I thought we did a good job attacking zones and being patient offensively.
Illinois State managed a better second half shooting percentage, going 14-of-29 for 48 percent. The Redbirds were 40 percent from the field for the game.
Ashley Sandstead and Johnson each chipped in eight for the Redbirds, while Young led the Bears with 21, respectively.
