Nov. 25, 2008
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NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State's first seven field goals were a result of layups and it proved to be indicative of the Redbirds' home opener as ISU downed Ball State, 91-68, in nonconference action on Doug Collins Court in Redbird Arena Tuesday night.
Four of the five Redbird starters scored in double-figures, including Kristi Cirone with a game-high 19 points, to even Illinois State's season record to 2-2. Nicolle Lewis and Maggie Krick each tossed in 14 points apiece, while Shala Jackson added 11. Ball State also fell to 2-2 on the year.
After Illinois State built a 22-point, first-half lead, Ball State continued to chip at it in the second half. The Cardinals opened the second frame with an 8-4 run and cut the ISU lead to 54-45, at the 15:54 mark. The Redbirds pushed the lead back up to double-figures, 64-45, after the first media timeout of the second half, thanks to 10-2 run with six points coming from Cirone and four tallies by Lewis.
Ball State countered with a 6-0 run, to make the score 64-53, but again ISU blew it open with a 12-0 spurt to take a 73-53 lead at the 10:15 mark. The Cardinals wouldn't go away and responded with a 7-0 run, but continued to trail, 76-60, with just 7:13 left in the game. ISU added another 9-3 run and led 85-63 with 3:42 on the clock. Brea Banks' layup off an offensive rebound pushed the Redbird lead to 91-65, with 2:01 left, marked ISU's largest lead of the season.
Illinois State jumped on Ball State early and stormed out to a 19-6 lead in the first six minutes, thanks to a 13-0 run that included five points by Cirone. Ball State countered with back-to-back baskets and trailed 19-10, but ISU used a 14-1 run, with eight points from Krick, to push the advantage to 33-11.
The two teams played even over a six-minute span with 13 points apiece. However, the Cardinals cut into the ISU lead right before the end of the half with an 11-2 run and cut the deficit to 48-35. Both teams ended the half with another basket and the Redbirds led 50-37 at the intermission, their highest first-half point total this season.
Patrice King led Ball State with 16 points. Danielle Gratton chipped in 13 points for the Cardinals, and Emily Maggert finished with 10. ISU's Lewis was one rebound away from a double-double and led the Redbirds with nine boards, as Illinois State owned a 51-26 edge on the glass. Cirone and Kenyatta Shelton led the `Birds with five assists apiece.
Illinois State returns to action Friday at DePaul. The Redbirds and Blue Demons will tipoff at 7:05 p.m.
