Feb. 18, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. - Sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone poured in a game-high 24 points, and Nicolle Lewis added 19 points and seven rebounds, but Indiana State post players Rachel Maenpaa and Laura Rudolphi each tallied double-doubles to lift the Sycamores to a 76-66 win over Illinois State at Redbird Arena Sunday afternoon. With the win, Indiana State earned a regular season split with the Redbirds, who captured an 89-81 win at the Hulman Center on Jan. 19.
Illinois State, losers of four of their last five Missouri Valley Conference contests, drops to 17-8 on the season with a 10-4 Valley slate. Indiana State improves to 15-10 and 8-6.
After both teams traded baskets in the early stages of the first half, Indiana State finished the stanza on a 14-8 run in the final six minutes to claim a six-point (35-29) advantage at halftime. Illinois State led by as many as four points in the second half, but the Sycamores outscored the `Birds 29-15 in the final 10:27 of the second stanza to earn its third straight road win in Valley play.
Despite slow offensive starts by both teams, the Redbirds and Sycamores were deadlocked at 12-12 through the first eight and a half minutes. Megan McCracken hit two three-pointers in the stretch, while Maenpaa chipped in six quick points to lead the early Indiana State attack. The Sycamores broke a 21-21 tie with a quick 5-0 spurt, and claimed a 26-21 advantage after back-to-back free throws by Maria Olsthoorn. After Cirone pulled the Redbirds within two (27-25) with 3:13 left, Indiana State finished the frame on an 8-4 spree. Illinois State's Lori Trumblee hit a jumper as time expired in the half to pull the `Birds within six, 35-29.
Maenpaa led all first-half scorers with 10 points on a 5-for-7 shooting effort. Cirone finished the stanza with nine points on a perfect 4-for-4 output. The Sycamores held the rebounding edge, 23-16.
The Redbirds opened the second half on a 7-2 run, and pulled within one (37-36) with 17:56 remaining. Lewis had a lay-up, and McCracken hit her third three-pointer in the stretch. Cirone gave Illinois State its first lead of the half, 49-46, after a three-pointer with 11:41 left. The Redbirds held onto the lead for the ensuing four minutes before Rudolphi's lay-up gave Indiana State a 56-54 lead with 7:31 remaining. An 11-3 Sycamore run in the next four minutes gave Indiana State a commanding 67-57 lead with just 3:24 remaining.
A three-pointer by Cirone pulled the `Birds within five (69-65) with 1:06 left, but Indiana State hit seven free throws down the stretch to clinch the win. The Redbirds were out-rebounded for the second consecutive game (44-40), and shot just 27 percent in the second half en route to a 30 percent mark for the game. Illinois State committed just nine turnovers, tying a season-low.
Maenpaa scored a team-high 22 points to go along with 10 rebounds, while Rudolphi chipped in 13 points and pulled down a game-high 12 caroms. McCracken rounded out the Redbirds' double-digit scoring output, finishing with 11 points, including three three-point field goals.
The Redbird basketball team will return travel to Peoria, Ill., to face off against host Bradley Friday. Tip-off from Robertson Field House is set for 8:05 p.m.
