Nov. 14, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's basketball team (1-0) opens its home schedule against NR/ARV Green Bay (1-0) on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7:05 p.m. The game kick starts a four day stretch in which the Redbirds will play three games. After the game on Thursday night, the `Birds will head down to Tampa to take part in the USF Shootout. It is the most regular season games ISU has played in such a short period of time since 1998.
Head coach Robin Pingeton feels her team is well-prepared for the quick turnaround.
"When we play in the conference tournament, we have to play three games in three days, so this stretch is good practice for us," Pingeton said. "We just need to get plenty of rest and stay focused. We are going to face some real quality opponents in the next few games and it will be a good test for our team."
ISU is coming off an 81-68 season-opening victory against Eastern Illinois last Sunday. The Redbirds were fueled by an 18-6 run to start the second half that turned a three-point halftime lead into a double-digit advantage. Junior guard Kristi Cirone scored a game-high 23 points and senior guard Tiffany Hudson tied her career-high with 18 points. Sophomore forward Ashleen Bracey led the `Birds with seven rebounds in her first-career start.
Cirone continued to make Redbird history in the first game of the season. Her first three-point field goal of the game was the 100th of her career, making her the seventh player in ISU history to achieve that feat. She added three more in the game and is currently in sixth place on the all-time three-pointer list with 103 career triples.
The Redbirds are 10-9 in home openers in Redbird Arena since the 1988-89 season, their first in the facility, including a 4-0 mark under Pingeton. They are looking for their first-ever win against Green Bay. The Phoenix is 4-0 all-time against ISU and is one of eight teams the Redbirds have played more than once and never beaten. Last season, Green Bay rode a 31-for-33 performance from the free throw line to a 92-64 victory over ISU.
Green Bay is in the middle of a three-game road swing against Missouri Valley Conference opponents. The Phoenix opened the season with a 78-66 win at Drake on Friday, Nov. 9. Senior guard Kayla Groh led five Phoenix players in double-figures with 20 points to give first-year head coach Matt Bollant his first win at the school. After taking on the Redbirds, Green Bay will visit Missouri State on Saturday, Nov. 17.
