Illinois State-Eastern Michigan Game Notes in PDF Format
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Dec. 15, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's basketball team will look to capture its first five-game winning streak in more than two years when the `Birds wrap up a three-game Mid-American Conference homestand, hosting Eastern Michigan Sunday afternoon at Redbird Arena. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m.
The game kicks off the Redbird marketing staff's "Hometown Youth Team Pass" promotion for women's basketball. Any youth member that presents the pass will receive a free general admission ticket to the game.
Illinois State (6-2) is off to its best eight-game start since the 1979-80 campaign when they compiled an identical 6-2 slate. With a win over the Eagles, the Redbirds would clinch their first five-game winning streak since the 2003-04 campaign, when they rolled off seven straight victories, including two Missouri Valley Conference triumphs, between Dec. 14, 2003 and Jan. 4, 2004.
The Redbirds are coming off last Saturday's 89-73 win over Miami (Ohio) at Redbird Arena. Sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone poured in a career-high 28 points to go along with 10 assists, and junior center Lashawn Johnson set her career-high in just one half, finishing with 15 points. ISU collected was active on the glass, collecting 50 rebounds for the second time this season, and committed a season-low 12 turnovers in the game.
Illinois State head coach Robin Pingeton has been pleased with her team's preparation leading up to Sunday's game.
"I have been very impressed with how our kids have handled the past couple of weeks," said Pingeton. "Last week was a busy week for them, because they had to prepare for final exams and also played two games; and of course this week, they have taken those exams. We gave them Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off, and let them take care of their academics. But even on their day off, we had the majority of our team voluntarily show up in the gym, run wind sprints and get some free-throw shooting in. It's just a great group. They continue to compete hard in practice, perform in the classroom and have that winning mentality. We're looking forward to getting back on the court Sunday."
EMU has appeared in the postseason in each of the past three seasons. In 2003-04, the Eagles won the MAC Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA first-round. In each of the past two campaigns (both 20-win seasons), they have received at-large bids to the WNIT. EMU is off to a 4-4 start this season, including an 83-80 loss at UMass Wednesday night. Starting freshman forward Emily Hanley, a Normal Community High School product, and will be making the return to her hometown.
Pingeton acknowledged that EMU's style will be very similar to that of both Ball State and Miami.
"I have a great amount of respect for the Eastern Michigan program," said Pingeton. "Head Coach Suzy (Merchant) has done a great job there, and that is evidenced by their back-to-back 20-win seasons. They have some kids inside that can score, and have an experienced backcourt. To be honest, their style of play will be very similar to what we saw last week against Ball State and Miami. It's interesting how those teams in the MAC play very similar styles. They will be very aggressive, and will play an up-tempo style. We expect it to be a very challenging game for us before we hit the road again next week."
The Redbirds will play two non-conference games in three days next week before taking a one-week break for the Christmas holiday. On Dec. 20, the `Birds will travel to Ames, Iowa to take on host Iowa State. Two days later (Dec. 22), ISU will play its rescheduled game against Wisconsin-Green Bay. Both the Cyclones and Phoenix are currently ranked in the top 35 of the Jeff Sagarin/CBN Women's College Basketball Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) Rankings.
