Nov. 2, 2008
Final Stats |
Photo Gallery 
NORMAL, Ill. - -
The Illinois State women's basketball team carried its success from last season over to its first exhibition game, with a convincing 81-72 win over Odyssey Sunday at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds had a balanced offensive attack, with five `Birds scoring in double-digits, including a game-high 18 points by Kristi Cirone.
Among the Redbirds scoring in double figures were Ashleen Bracey (13), Cirone (18), Shala Jackson (12), Maggie Krick (12) and Kenyatta Shelton (12). Jackson pulled down 11 rebounds and netted the only double-double in the contest.
Former Redbirds, Lashawn Johnson and Tiffany Hudson tallied 11 points apiece for Odyssey.
Cirone set the tone in the opening five minutes of the first half for the Redbirds, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and scoring nine of ISU's first 11 points. Cirone also jump started a 10-2 run by Illinois State, who led 16-8 with 14:30 remaining in the first-half. Odyssey responded, scoring seven unanswered and taking its first lead at 20-19 with 6:29 to go. Odyssey's lead was short lived, when Jackson connected on a jumper for the `Birds with 6:17 putting them back in front. ISU finished strong, going into halftime with a 35-30 lead. Cirone scored 17 point in the first half, shooting 7-of-10 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc and dished out five assists. Odyssey was led by Johnson, who scored nine points and went 4-of-8 from the field.
In the second half, the Redbirds pushed their lead into double figures after Ashley Sandstead hit a three-pointer with 11:37 to go, to increase ISU's lead to 54-42. The Redbirds used a 10-6 run to reach their largest lead of the game at 64-48 with 7:58 remaining. Odyssey dipped into the lead and made a late run, cutting the deficit to seven points with just over a minute remaining, but it was not enough as Illinois State withstood the charge, 81-72.
Illinois State will continue its exhibition season Nov. 8 at 4:05 when they host Northwest Missouri State at Redbird Arena.
