Illinois State-Wichita State Game Notes in PDF Format
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Jan. 10, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's basketball team will look to clinch their best-ever start in Missouri Valley Conference play with a win over visiting Wichita State Thursday. Tip-off from Redbird Arena is set for 7:05 p.m.
The Redbirds (11-4, 4-0 MVC) are coming off Saturday's 89-81 win at Evansville, clinching their first 4-0 start to the Valley slate since the 1995-96 campaign. Sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone, who was named MVC Player of the Week for her efforts, scored a game-high 27 points for the second consecutive game to lead a foursome of Redbirds in double figures as Illinois State claimed sole possession of first place in the league with the victory. ISU never trailed in the contest.
With a win over the Shockers, the Redbirds would move to 5-0 in the Valley for the first time since the inception of Valley women's basketball in 1992-93.
Head coach Robin Pingeton was pleased that her team was able to remain undefeated in league play last week after tallying two hard fought road wins.
"We're excited about our start and the direction our program is heading," said Pingeton. "But we are also very realistic and realize that we aren't even half-way through the conference season yet. I thought our kids showed a lot of toughness on that last road trip. It is very difficult to win on the road in this league, but we were very locked in, and played some of our best basketball of the season in those two games."
Wichita State (6-7, 1-2 MVC) was picked second in the MVC preseason coaches, media and SID's poll. The Shockers opened the Valley season with back-to-back home losses before defeating Missouri State on the road Sunday. Senior Antionette Wells is the MVC's second-ranked rebounder (10.6 rpg), averaging 3.85 offensive caroms per contest. Frontcourt teammate Kiki Stephens ranks second in the league in blocks (1.15 bpg). Wichita State has connected on a league-best average of 8.33 three-point field goals per game.
"Wichita State is one of the most athletic teams in our conference," Pingeton said. "They have a tremendous post tandem with Kiki Stephens and Antionette Wells, and have some very talented and experienced veteran ball players. If we're not ready to go, they will come in here and really take it to us. If we play locked in like we have been, it's going to be a dogfight until the last possession. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what Jane Albright has done at Wichita State, and we are going to have our hands full Thursday night."
