Dec. 31, 2007
Final Stats |
Quotes
NORMAL, Ill. -
A hot hand from sophomore forward Ashleen Bracey, along with a stingy Illinois State defense, led the Redbird women's basketball team (10-1) to a 78-54 victory over visiting Northern Illinois (4-9) Monday on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. Bracey scored a team-high 15 points, as ISU recorded its best start in program history with a 10-1 mark to begin the season.
Three other Redbirds joined Bracey in double-digits, as junior guard Kristi Cirone scored 12 points, while senior guard Tiffany Hudson and sophomore guard Maggie Krick each chipped in with 10 points. Illinois State was consistent from the field throughout the game, as the Redbirds shot 50.8 percent, their fourth 50-percent-or-better shooting performance of the season. Shari' Welton led the Huskies with 15 points on a 7-of-11 shooting performance from the field.
ISU capitalized throughout the game on NIU miscues, as the Huskies committed 24 turnovers that led to 31 Redbird points. Northern Illinois' 24 turnovers tied the season-high by an Illinois State opponent, a mark that was also set by Eastern Illinois in the Redbirds' season-opening 81-68 victory over the Panthers Nov. 11.
After leading by 16 points (42-26) at halftime, the Redbirds poured on the offense and took their first 20-point lead of the game (52-32) off a jumper from Brea Banks at the 14:19 mark in the second half. Northern Illinois cut the lead down to 14 points twice in the period, but the Huskies were unable to maintain any offensive momentum, as they committed eight second-half turnovers.
The Redbirds took an early 9-5 lead in the first half after a steal by Cirone led to a fastbreak layup from Krick and forced an early timeout by the Huskies. A pestering defense from the Redbirds forced 16 Northern Illinois turnovers in the first half that led to 20 ISU points. A strong offensive effort was also part of the Redbirds' first-half arsenal, as ISU shot 51.7 percent from the field in the half, which included a near-perfect 5-for-6 effort from Bracey.
The Huskies attempted a comeback midway through the first half, as they chipped the Redbird lead down to 10 points (22-12) off a traditional three-point play from Welton. Cirone pushed the ISU lead back above 10 points (24-12) with a fadeaway jumper from the right side.
ISU produced much of its first-half lead off a 23-13 run prior to the third media timeout (6:44) that included an 11-0 offensive spurt. Five different Redbirds scored during ISU's 11-0 run, highlighted by a made free throw from Shala Jackson that gave ISU its first double-digit lead of the game (17-7) at the 12:34 mark.
Illinois State will return to action Thursday when it travels to Evansville, Ind., to take on Evansville in the Redbirds' first Missouri Valley Conference game of the season.
