Illinois State-Miami (Ohio) Game Notes in PDF Format
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Dec. 8, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's basketball team will look to clinch its first four-game winning streak in more than a year when it continues a three-game home stand versus Mid-American Conference foes with a Saturday afternoon contest against Miami (Ohio) at Redbird Arena. Tip-off is set for 4:05 p.m.
The game is also being tabbed "Pack the Arena" night. Any fan that presents a special coupon promoting the event will receive free admission to the game. Coupons can be picked up at area Arby's, McDonald's, Alamo II, Taco Bell, Hanson's Cleaners, Barker GMC and Papa John's locations. They are also available at the Redbird ticket office.
Illinois State (5-2) last won four consecutive games to open the 2005-06 campaign, when they defeated Chicago State, Loyola- Chicago, Northern Illinois and South Alabama.
The Redbirds are coming off Wednesday's 82-72 win over previously unbeaten Ball State. Illinois State built a 21-point first-half lead before holding off a second-half surge by the Cardinals in the final minutes of the game. Ball State cut the lead to three, but the Redbirds hit 10-of-12 free throws in the final 3:21 to seal the win. Sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone connected on 13-of-16 free throws in the game, including 8-of-9 down the stretch, en route to a season-high 25 points.
Illinois State head coach Robin Pingeton was pleased with her team's poise and confidence against a team that had rolled off five consecutive victories to begin the season.
"I felt like we bent but we didn't break, and that was key for our kids," said Pingeton. "It was a tale of two halves. We knew that Ball State was going to come back in the second half and I really felt like they were the aggressors. But I'm really proud of our kids the way we showed poise, and stepped up and hit some free throws at the end of the game. In particular, I felt like Kristi Cirone and Megan McCracken had a great calming effect on our team."
Miami is 5-4 on the season, and are coming off an impressive win over visiting Michigan on Wednesday. The RedHawks dropped an overtime decision to Missouri Valley Conference foe Northern Iowa on Nov. 25. The RedHawks return four starters from last year's 8-20 (3-13 MAC) squad, including top-scorer Amanda Jackson (16.4 ppg), who missed the majority of last season with a knee injury. Forwards Eve Pyle and Jaclyn Leininger are each averaging more than six rebounds per game.
Pingeton drew similarities to Ball State and Miami, and is prepared for another challenging match-up.
"They are a well balanced team, and are very fundamentally sound," Pingeton said. "They have some kids inside that do a very good job for them, and have got a couple of players that shoot the three very well. They play more of an up-tempo style, very similar to Ball State."
Illinois State basketball teams will be looking to complete the weekly sweep of the RedHawks. The Redbird men's basketball team defeated Miami, 64-40, Tuesday night at Redbird Arena.
