March 14, 2008
ST. CHARLES, Mo. -
No. 1 Illinois State trails No. 9 Southern Illinois, 33-30, at halftime of the first quarterfinal matchup of the 2008 State Farm MVC Women's Basketball Tournament at the Family Arena. Illinois State shot just 23.8 percent from the field in the first half (10-for-35) and made only one three-point field goal. Junior guard Kristi Cirone and sophomore forward Ashleen Bracey lead the Redbirds with seven points apiece. Southern Illinois forward Courtney Sales has 12 points and nine rebounds to lead all players in both categories.
Illinois State struggled from the field in the early going, shooting just 3-for-10 in the first five minutes. Southern Illinois wasn't hindered at all, making five of its first six shots and three free throws to take an 14-6 lead. Although the Redbirds continued to shoot poorly from the field, seven-straight free throws and tough defense allowed them to tie the game, 19-19, just under the 10-minute mark.
Southern Illinois guard Ellen Young scored four-straight points to help the Salukis pull back ahead, 25-20, as Illinois State suffered through another scoring drought of more than four minutes. Cirone made ISU's first three-pointer of the day to cut the deficit back down to two points, but Sales answered with a jumper on SIU's next possession. A jumper by freshman guard Shala Jackson cut the deficit back down to one point, 28-27, with just under three minutes left, but ISU could not take the lead. Southern Illinois had the lead at halftime, just as it did in the three regular season games.
