Nov. 16, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
Continuing its three games in four days stretch, the Illinois State women's basketball team (2-0) faces Tennessee-Martin (2-0) in the first game of the Best Western Roundball Classic on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m. from the Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla. The `Birds are 2-0 for the first time in two years and will try to maintain that momentum in their first games ever in the Sun Dome.
The game against Tennesse-Martin was originally scheduled to tip-off at 4 p.m. CST, but was changed to 11 a.m. a week ago due to the Louisville-South Florida football game.
ISU will try to beat a team for the first time for the second-consecutive game when it takes to the court against Tennessee-Martin after beating Green Bay for the first time in five all-time meetings on Thursday. The Redbirds and Skyhawks played twice in the 1970's and Tennessee-Martin won both games by double-digits. ISU has already beaten an Ohio Valley Conference member this year with its 81-68 triumph over Eastern Illinois in the season opener.
Illinois State is averaging 80 points per game so far this season and has been led by 20-point performances from two different players. Junior Kristi Cirone netted 23 points against Eastern Illinois and freshman guard Shala Jackson scored a career-high 20 against Green Bay. The Redbirds' are shooting .487 as a team and have four players averaging double-figures in the early part of the season.
Illinois State takes on host South Florida on Sunday at 1 p.m. CST in the final game of the tournament.
