Feb. 12, 2006
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State forward Holly Hallstrom recorded her seventh double-double for the season, scoring 15 points and grabbing a career-high 18 rebounds and Megan McCracken scored 17 points as Illinois State defeated in-state rival Bradley 66-51 in Missouri Valley Conference play Sunday at Redbird Arena. Kristi Cirone added 10 points and four assists for the `Birds.
Illinois State 9-12 overall, 4-8 in the Valley was able to dominate on the boards, out rebounding Bradley 42-30. However, the `Birds committed a game-high 23 turnovers, while they had only committed 14 in the two previous games combined.
Bradley 6-16 overall, 2-11 in the Valley, were led by Libby Magnuson's career-high 18 points, but were stymied by the Redbird defense much of the second half, netting just two points from the 8-minute mark to the final 100 seconds as ISU took control. Jen Brown added 11 points for the Braves.
The Redbirds dominated the rebounding, 25-12 in the second half with Hallstrom collecting 10 of her 18 and Lashawn Johnson five of her seven rebounds in the final 20 minutes.
"Coach emphasizes rebounds and we had to get it done in the second half," said Hallstrom. "Lashawn was in their fighting for rebounds, too."
The first half began with both teams trading baskets, until Bradley went on a 6-0 scoring run to put the Braves ahead 16-10 with 9:33 remaining. The `Birds were able to battle back when McCracken caught fire off the bench, hitting three consecutive shots in the span of 80 seconds. Her personal 9-0 run began with a deep three pointer on which she was fouled. McCracken nailed the free-throw for the first ISU four-point play of the season. She added another three and a jumper to give ISU the lead, 19-16 with 7:40 left in the half. The `Birds held a 29-26 advantage at the break.
The second half began with ISU and Bradley trading baskets until the Braves were able to recapture the lead, 33-31, on a lay up from Magnuson with 18:08 left. But the `Birds were able to put together their own run, scoring 10 unanswered points including two more McCracken field goals, to put the `Birds on top 41-33 with 14:15 remaining. After the 8:00 minute mark the `Birds were in control, going on an 18-7 scoring run to close out the game, winning 66-51.
Head coach Robin Pingeton was pleased with the effort from McCracken, who had to overcome an early season hip injury and shot 3-6 from beyond the arc on Sunday.
"I'm so happy for Megan, I give her a lot of credit too," said Pingeton. "She is such a driven kid and has such high expectations of herself. She knows she has been in sort of a funk, but she has been putting in countless hours in the gym. It was neat to see her break out and It's a glimpse of the kind of fire power that kid has."
The Redbirds will hit the road to play Wichita State in a Missouri Valley Conference match up on Friday, February, 17th starting at 7 p.m.
