Feb. 23, 2006
Box Score
Normal, Ill. -
Kristi Cirone's 17 points led four Redbirds to double digits in scoring in 64-61 win over Drake in a Missouri Valley Conference game Thursday at Redbird Arena. Amber Shelton and Megan McCracken each sank two key free throws in the final minute to help the `Birds hold-off Drake.
The Redbirds, 10-14 overall, 5-10 in the Missouri Valley, stopped a six-game Drake winning streak in which the Bulldogs had won five games by three points or less. The first of those six was a 76-73 Bulldog win over the Redbirds in overtime in Des Moines last month. This time, the `Birds held on to win the close one as Cirone got scoring help from Holly Hallstrom with 16, Megan McCracken and Amber Shelton with 11 each.
Linda Sayavongchanh's 17 points led the Bulldogs, 14-10 overall, 10-5 in the Valley.
Redbird coach Robin Pingeton thought it was a big win.
"I feel like this was the biggest win of the year so far," said Pingeton. "We were in a situation where our backs were up against the wall. I am so proud of our kids; they played with a lot of poise and were really in charge for the full 40 minutes and I don't think I've seen that this year. I hope it's a sign of maturity."
The Redbirds, who average more than 17 three-point field goal attempts per game, tried a season-low eight against Drake, making three.
Pingeton recognized that, and thinks playing smart and in control could give the Redbirds a shot at avoiding a bottom four finish in the Valley, which would force them to play an extra game in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
"That's probably the least amount of threes we've taken all year," said Pingeton. "We talked (as a team) about just taking care of our own business. If we can be successful over the next three games, we have a shot at the (No. 6 spot) in the Valley Tournament."
From start to finish, neither team led by more than six points. Drake took the first six-point lead of the game, using a Lindsay Whorton three-pointer to go up 14-8 with 12:34 left in the first half.
But Cirone responded with an old-fashioned three-point play, then, after an Ashleigh Brady free throw, Lori Trumblee hit two straight jumpers to tie the score at 15-15. Drake pulled out to a 21-15 lead, but Cirone, who had all 17 of her points in the first half, hit a jumper on the move, then McCracken scored on a layup after an Shelton steal and Cirone drained a three-pointer with 5:21 left in the half to put ISU ahead 22-21. A Lashawn Johnson layup 30 seconds later put the `Birds up by three. Drake led once more 30-28 into the final minute of the half, but another Cirone three-pointer and a Holly Hallstrom layup gave ISU a 33-30 halftime lead.
Hallstrom thought Cirone's first half got the `Birds rolling, and her teammates picked up the slack in the second half.
"We came out with a lot of fight in the second half, and we knew they were going to double-team Kristi, so we had to get open for her," said Hallstrom.
ISU had 13 first-half turnovers, but didn't make one in the first 11 minutes of the second half. The `Birds held on to leads as large as six, but that margin fell to one with 6:28 left as Martin hit a layup. Drake had three chances to take the lead, but ISU got the stops. On the third one, Cirone pilfered a pass and hit McCracken for an open layup with 4:15 left and ISU led by three.
Hallstrom's 11th rebound of the game--and ninth in the second half--led to Shelton layup-and-free throw three-pointer with 3:11 left and the `Birds led 59-53. Drake wasn't finished, though, as Sayavongchanh hit a unner with 2:13 left and Jordann Plummer sank a long two-pointer to cut the ISU lead to 59-57 into the last minute. But Drake had to foul, and the free throws by Shelton and McCracken gave ISU enough space. Drake had one final chance just ahead of the horn, but an off-balance desperation shot by Ashleigh Brady was off the mark.
The Redbirds finish their home season with a game against Creighton at 2:05 p.m. Sunday.
