Nov. 6, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Sophomore guard Maggie Krick recorded a double-double with a game-high 20 points and 11 assists, leading Illinois State's women's basketball team to a dominating 81-51 win over visiting Upper Iowa in the Redbirds' final exhibition game Tuesday night at Redbird Arena. ISU completed the preseason with a 2-0 record, defeating its two opponents by a combined 50 points.
Sophomore forward Ashleen Bracey, making her second-consecutive start, scored 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting to join Krick in double figures. Eleven Redbirds scored in the contest. Chelsea Petersen (15 points) and Andrea Downs (13) paced Upper Iowa's offensive effort.
The Redbirds built a lead as large as 20-points in the first half, and saw their advantage extend to 30 points mid-way through the second half. ISU held a convincing 52-14 scoring advantage in the paint, and scored 43 points off Peacock turnovers.
The Redbirds came out firing in the early stages of the first half, jumping out to a 12-0 advantage. Krick and Bracey each tallied two field goals in the spurt. The lead was extended to 20-4 three minutes later, after Illinois State completed an 8-4 run. After Upper Iowa pulled back within 13 points (24-11), the `Birds went on a 10-3 spree to claim a commanding 32-14 lead. Ashley Sandstead connected on a jumper and three-point field goal off the bench to pace ISU's offensive charge.
ISU outscored the Peacocks 12-10 over the final 6:38, and took a 44-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. Bracey led ISU's offensive charge, scoring 10 first half points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting. Krick also scored 10 points and contributed six assists, as the Redbirds shot a sizzling 65 percent (.645) in the frame. ISU forced the Peacocks into 16 first half turnovers.
The Redbirds kept the pressure on early in the second half, allowing the Peacocks just three field goals in the first 9:30. ISU's lead reached a game-high 31 points (66-35) after a jumper by Shala Jackson. The Redbirds' lead never dropped below 22 points for the remainder of the game. After Upper Iowa cut the lead to 73-51 with 3:22 left, ISU finished the frame on an 8-0 run, capped off by two late field goals by Krick, who finished scored 10 points in the stanza.
Illinois State will open its 2007-08 regular season Sunday at in-state rival Eastern Illinois. Tip-off from Lantz Arena is set for 3 p.m.
