Nov. 28, 2006
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. - Senior co-captain Megan McCracken came off the bench to set a new career high with 27 points and tied her school record with seven made three pointers as the Illinois State women's basketball team shot a sizzling 49 percent from beyond the three-point arc in a record-setting 101-72 victory over Eastern Illinois Tuesday night at Redbird Arena.
Four `Birds scored in double figures, including freshman Kenyatta Shelton, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kristi Cirone also tallied a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 12 assists. Nicolle Lewis chipped in a career-best tying 12 points.
Illinois State connected on 15 three-pointers en route to hitting the century mark for the first time since March 2, 1990 when ISU defeated Eastern Illinois, 107-68.
"I was in the zone tonight, and all that repetition in the practice gym really paid off," said McCracken. "I just had a shooter's mentality out there. But tonight was a team win."
The victory improved the Redbirds' record to 4-2, with three wins coming against in-state schools. EIU falls to 2-3 on the season despite the efforts of Bloomington, Ill., native sophomore Rachel Galligan, who scored 22 points and grabbed eight boards.
"I'm really proud of the effort our kids gave out there tonight," said head coach Robin Pingeton. "We played very well defensively, and were unselfish on the offensive end. There aren't many nights when you are going to be able to have 29 assists, and we were able to accomplish that tonight.
"Megan had the kind of game that we have all been waiting on her to come out and have. She continues to get in the gym and work on that shot. She is able to have that type of game each time she steps on the floor, because she is that valuable of an offensive weapon."
Hot shooting from the perimeter helped the `Birds go on two big runs in the first half. After trading baskets to start the game, the Redbirds found themselves trailing the Panthers, 13-12, before going on a 16-5 run to take a 28-18 lead at the 10:08 mark. During that stretch, McCracken caught fire with four three pointers. She accounted for 14 of the team's 16 points.
The Redbirds extended the advantaged even further by starting a 20-2 spurt with 7:45 left in the first half. ISU continued its stellar shooting from behind the arc, receiving three pointers from Cirone, junior Tiffany Hudson, senior Sara Stevenson and McCracken. The `Birds also showed off their fast break game during the run with lay-ups coming from Lewis, Cirone and Shelton, helping ISU take a 52-29 lead with 2:23 left until intermission.
Eastern Illinois regrouped to finish the half, scoring the final six points as the `Birds took a 52-35 halftime lead. For the half, Illinois State shot 46 percent from the field, including 9-of-18 from the three-point stripe. For the second straight game, the Redbirds dominated the rebounding category (30-19) with the 14-5 edge on offensive boards. McCracken led the way in scoring with 17 points, while Cirone, Lewis and Shelton each chipped in eight points apiece.
Illinois State went on a 19-8 run over the first 7:30 of the second half, opening up a commanding 71-43 advantage. Shelton had three field goals in the stretch. The Redbirds led by as many as 36 points in the ensuing three minutes before clearing their bench with more than five minutes remaining. Eastern Illinois closed out the final 4:22 on a 17-14 run, but Cat Graham, Ashley Sandstead and Brooke Singleton each hit three-pointers down the stretch. Sandstead's running jumper with 42 seconds remaining pushed ISU over the 100-point plateau.
The Redbird basketball team will hit the road Saturday, Dec. 2, when it travels to non-conference foe UW-Green Bay in Green Bay, Wis. The game between the `Birds and the Phoenix is scheduled to tip-off at 3 p.m.
