Feb. 17, 2006
Box Score
Wichita, Kansas -
Kristi Cirone had 19 points and Holly Hallstrom had her eighth double-double of the season, but it wasn't enough for Illinois State to avoid an 85-73 defeat at the hands of Wichita State in a Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball game Friday at Charles Koch Arena.
Illinois State, 9-13, 4-9 in the Valley led 33-32 at halftime, but shot just 34 percent in the second half while Wichita State shot 63 percent from the field after intermission.
The Shockers, 14-9, 7-7 in the Valley, got a career-high 24 rebounds from Antoinette Wells, the league's leading rebounder, and had four players in double figures scoring. ISU got 12 points from Lori Trumblee and 12 points and six assists from Tiffany Hudson. Kiki Stephens led Wichita State with 17.
Redbird coach Robin Pingeton thought her team had enough open looks, but couldn't knock them in.
"Any time you get 72 shots off, you have enough opportunities, but you have to knock-down shots," said Pingeton. "We had some breakdowns defensively and Kiki got us in the second half.
She was puzzled by the open layups missed.
"Usually, we're better than that at knocking down open layups," said Pingeton. "But, for one reason or another, they wouldn't fall for us. That's not a talent thing, it's a toughness thing. I believe in these kids and I stand by them, but we just have to hang in there, roll up our sleeves and understand how to play with more toughness. The heart and the effort is there, but we have to get the toughness."
Wichita State shot well early and forced seven Redbird turnovers in the first 12 minutes to earn a 20-15 lead, but the `Birds battled back starting with a Holly Hallstrom free throw, then a Trumblee put-back basket. After Marcy Sudbeck's basket put WSU up 22-18, Trumblee scored back-to-back baskets and Hallstrom added another from inside to give ISU a 24-22 lead. A Cirone bucket, two Hudson free throws and Trumblee's third three-pointer of the season gave ISU a 31-26 lead with 2:51 left in the half.
The `Birds had some open looks in the final three minutes, but couldn't get them to stay down and WSU closed the margin to 33-32 at halftime. Cirone had 10 points, Hallstrom and Trumblee added nine to account for most of the Redbirds' first-half points.
Wichita State scored the last four points of the first half and opened the second half with a 7-2 run with Stephens scoring three buckets as WSU led 39-35 with 17:36 left in the game. A Hudson three-pointer stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer to cut the lead to one, but the Shockers went on another 9-0 run and piled-up a 14-point edge 59-45 with 8:55 left.
Trumblee hit a three-pointer and Cirone scored on back-to-back possession to get within 61-53 with 7:14 left. Illinois State travels to Springfield, Mo., for a 2:05 p.m. Sunday game with Missouri State.
