Jan. 11, 2007
Stats
NORMAL, Ill. - Nicolle Lewis and Megan McCracken each tallied 16-point individual efforts as host Illinois State defeated Wichita State in dominating fashion, 87-73, in a Missouri Conference game at Redbird Arena Thursday night. The Redbirds led by as many as 40 points in the game, which ended on a sour note, as an altercation and two ejections occurred with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game.
Wichita State's Antionette Wells and ISU's Lashawn Johnson were ejected for fighting with 12:54 left. After a tie-up underneath the north basket, a mutual altercation began between the two players, and it was immediately broken up by officials Rich Choponis, Marvin Sykes and Scott Doberstein. But shortly thereafter, Wells went after Johnson near the Redbird bench, and landed a punch. After each player received a technical and personal foul, they were ejected per NCAA rules. A fighting ejection calls for a suspension from the remainder of the game in progress and the ensuing contest, which is this Saturday for both teams.
Illinois State led by as many as 36 points in the first half, and stretched the advantage to as many as 40 points with 17:38 remaining in the second stanza before head coach Robin Pingeton cleared her bench at 10 minutes remaining. The Shockers finished the second half on a 23-12 run to close the scoring gap.
Illinois State put three players in double figures in the first half en route to a season-high 56 points. The Redbirds came out firing, jumping out to a 15-5 advantage in the first three and a half minutes. Johnson, McCracken, Maggie Krick and Kristi Cirone all had field goals in the spurt. The lead was extended to 18 points, 25-7, at the game's second media timeout (10:59) after three consecutive Redbird field goals.
Wichita State climbed back within 13 (28-15), but an ensuing 12-0 ISU run gave the Redbirds a commanding 40-15 lead with 5:35 remaining in the first frame. Illinois State allowed the Shockers just two field goals in the final nine minutes of the half, opening up as large as a 36-point lead and 56-23 advantage at halftime. McCracken led the ISU offensive attack with 14 points including four three-point field goals, while Cirone and Lewis each scored 12 points. Kyrie Kinder led Wichita State with six points.
Illinois State opened the second half on a 9-2 run over the first two and a half minutes. Lewis had two field goals in the stretch, and Krick added a three-pointer in transition. After a transition layup by Johnson, the Redbirds claimed a 40-point advantage (65-25) with 17:35 left in the game.
After the ejections, Pingeton rotated Tiffany Hudson, Sara Stevenson and Ashleen Bracey into the game, and the trio finished the contest with a combined 28 minutes. In all, 14 Redbird players saw action in the game.
Cirone finished with 15 points to go along with nine assists, and Krick added 11 points. Lori Trumblee chipped in 10 points off the bench. Kiki Stephens led the Wichita State charge with 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Redbirds shot 55 percent for the game, and held a 43-41 rebounding advantage. They scored 17 points off Shocker turnovers.
The Redbirds will return home Saturday to face Missouri State (4:05 p.m.), who upended host Indiana State, 83-76, Thursday in Terre Haute, Ind.
