Jan. 28, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State basketball team tightened its defense holding in-state rival Bradley to 29 percent shooting and sophomore Kristi Cirone led the squad with 24 points and tied her career high with seven rebounds, as the Redbirds defeated the Braves 55-47 on Sunday in front of a school-record 4,190 at Redbird Arena. The victory extends ISU's school-best Missouri Valley Conference start to a perfect 9-0 and keeps the `Birds alone a top the conference standings.
The Redbirds struggled shooting a season-low 36 percent from the field, but over came their own shooting woes by forcing the Braves to 18-of-63 from the floor and forcing 17 turnovers.
Illinois State also held a 45-41 advantage on the glass, where reigning MVC Player of the Week junior Lashawn Johnson nabbed a team-best 11 rebounds, her third straight game of double-digit caroms, and was second on the team with nine points. Fellow senior Megan McCracken also grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, while chipping in six points.
With the victory, the Redbirds (16-4, 9-0 MVC) remain unbeaten at home (10-0) and have now won 13 straight at Redbird Arena dating back to last season. The loss drops the Braves' record to 7-13, 3-6 in the Valley, despite the efforts of Jen Brown, who recorded 11 points and grabbed four rebounds.
The first half began with both teams struggling from the field. With the score tied at 10-10 after nearly 10 minutes of action, ISU was 5-of-14 from the field, while Bradley shot 5-for-16. The Braves built a short-lived three-point lead, 13-10, with 9:28 remaining in the half, before the Redbirds responded with a 9-0 run to take a 19-13 at the 4:55 mark.
The Braves would close the ISU lead to 22-21 with 3:36 remaining until halftime, before senior Lori Trumblee hit a mid-range shot and junior Ashley Sandstead nailed a jumper from the right side as time expired to give the Redbirds a 26-21 advantage at intermission.
The second half started with Bradley coming out and hitting three of its first six shots to tie the game at 28-28 with 17:27 to play. The Redbirds quickly responded with a 10-0 run build their lead back up to 38-28 at the 14:08 mark. During the run, the `Birds were led by Cirone who notched six points.
The Braves refused to back down, as they hit ISU with a 13-2 run over the next 5:30, capped of by Ashley Chelleen's jumper, to take the 41-40 lead with 8:38 left to play.
Facing the possibility of suffering their first home loss of the season, the Redbirds rallied behind Cirone one more time, as she scored five points in an 8-0 run that helped ISU regain and push the lead to 48-41 with 5:41 left in the game. The Braves would cut the lead down to three once more at 48-45, with 2:30 to play, before ISU regained the momentum by hitting seven free throws, four by Cirone, to close out the game.
The Redbird basketball team will continue its homestand on Fri., Feb. 2, against Evansville. Tip-off between the `Birds and the Purple Aces is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
