Jan. 2, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's basketball team (10-1) will try to carry the momentum from a record-setting non-conference schedule into Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend. The Redbirds open the Valley slate at Evansville (5-5) on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 7:05 p.m. and then visit Southern Illinois (4-6) on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 2:05 p.m. Illinois State is 15-10 all-time in conference openers, including a 7-8 mark since the conference became the Missouri Valley in the 1992-93 season, and began the Valley season last year with nine-consecutive wins.
"I told the players that I am really proud of what they have accomplished so far this year, but we go back to square one and start all over now with conference play," said head coach Robin Pingeton. "We start out with a very difficult road trip and we know that conference play is going to be very challenging for us. We have some very good teams in the Valley and anything can happen on any given night. I certainly want the players to be proud of their achievements in the non-conference, but it's time to step it up to the next level."
THE REDBIRDS-PURPLE ACES SERIES
Illinois State holds a 15-11 edge over Evansville in the all-time series. The two teams did not play until the Purple Aces joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 1995, and have met twice annually since then. The Redbirds won the first eight games in the series before the Purple Aces claimed four straight. Evansville has won four of the last six games and each team won a game on the road last season.
THE REDBIRDS-SALUKIS SERIES
Illinois State leads the all-time series with in-state rival Southern Illinois, 40-37. The Salukis do have a slight edge in games played in Carbondale, 19-14, but the Redbirds have won the last five games there. Illinois State dominated the beginning of the series, winning 22 of the first 27 games. The salukis then rattled off 20 wins in the next 26 meetings, including a string of 11-consecutive victories. The `Birds and Salukis split the season series last year, with each team picking up a win on the road.
OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
For the first time in program history, Illinois State is 10-1. The Redbirds reached 10 wins faster than any other team in the history of the school (the fastest team to 10 wins under Robin Pingeton was the 2006-07 squad who did it in 14 games) and their 10 non-conference wins are an Illinois State and Missouri Valley Conference record. The `Birds reached those milestones in commanding fashion: scoring 70 points in all but one non-conference game, including the first nine-consecutive, and outscoring their opponents by an average of 15.3 points per game.
REDBIRDS DON'T BREAK STRIDE
After starting the season 4-0 for just the second time in program history, ISU suffered its first loss of the season to nationally-ranked DePaul, 80-75. The loss did not slow down the Redbirds, however, as they are on a six-game winning streak since then. Over the last six games, ISU is averaging 76.8 ppg and is outscoring its opponents by an average of 19.3 points per game. The Redbirds are shooting .482 from the field and hold an 8.2 rebounding margin over their opponents.
LEEN, MEAN REBOUNDING MACHINE
Sophomore forward Ashleen Bracey has transformed herself into one of the most imposing forwards in the Valley. After not seeing the playing time she would have liked as a freshman, Bracey hit the gym hard over the summer, improving her game and her physique. All of the hard work has paid off as Bracey has started all 11 games this season and is the Redbirds' top-rebounder (8.1) and ranks second in the Valley. Bracey has pulled down more than seven rebounds in nine games, including a career-high 11 versus Miami, and has led the Redbirds in rebounding nine times. She has been the catalyst for the `Birds during their current six-game winning streak, leading the team in scoring (14.2 ppg), rebounding (9.0) and field goal percentage (.651). She has recorded three double-double and scored in double-figures five times during that stretch.
