Jan. 17, 2009
Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. -
Illinois State (12-4, 3-1 MVC) pulled out a thrilling overtime road victory over Wichita State (9-8, 1-5 MVC), 73-70, Saturday night. The Redbirds trailed by three with a minute left in regulation in a back-and-forth game that featured 10 ties and 13 lead changes.
ISU had five players score in double-figures for the first time since a win over Bradley last season. Kristi Cirone led the Redbirds for the eighth-straight game with 21 points. She also had five assists, moving her past Cathy Beesley for second place on the ISU all-time list with 572.
Ashleen Bracey recorded her third double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. It was the 10th double-double of Bracey's career, making her the 11th player in school history to reach double-digits in that feat. Nicolle Lewis came within a rebound of a double-double of her own with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Maggie Krick returned action after missing the last game with a fractured hand and chipped in 12 points, including both of ISU's three-point field goals. Adding to her troubles, the incision on Krick's hand reopened just before tip-off and required six stitches to repair. Shala Jackson had 12 points as well.
"I was really proud of our performance tonight," said head coach Robin Pingeton. "We showed great toughness, especially down the stretch. It is always tough to win on the road in the Valley and this was a very hard-fought, physical game against a very good Wichita State team. Maggie's performance was very gutsy when you take into consideration she is playing with a broken hand and a lot of pain."
ISU struggled shooting the ball to start the game, missing its first four shots, and Wichita State jumped out to a 9-2 lead. Krick showed no ill effects from her hand injury, making a three-pointer from the left corner on her first shot attempt that sparked a streak of eight-straight field goals for the `Birds and gave them the lead for the first time, 19-16.
A quick four-point swing gave the Shockers the lead with just under four minutes left in the half, but Cirone took it right back with a three-point play as she was fouled on a fastbreak layup. The lead changed hands three times after that and Wichita State made the last two baskets of the half to take a 37-33 halftime lead.
ISU started the second half with a 12-0 run to regain the lead, 45-37. Cirone provided the spark with a full-court to Krick for a fastbreak layup and two three-point plays. Wichita State was hindered by four turnovers, including two offensive fouls. ISU turned the ball over four times as well with some errant passes, but was able to capitalize on the Shockers' missing their first six shots of the period.
Just as quickly as ISU took the lead, Wichita State came right back, using a 9-2 run to pull within three, 47-46. The Redbirds maintained the lead until Val Siemens nailed her third three-pointer to tie the game, 53-53. Shala Jackson kept the `Birds on top with a three-point play, but Daria Frazier answered with another three-pointer to tie the game again.
Frazier committed her fifth foul on the ensuing possession and Cirone made one free throw to give ISU a one-point edge. Wichita State stayed relentless with a 6-2 spurt to pull back ahead, 62-59. Jackson had a chance to give ISU the lead again with four free-throw attempts, but only made one. She made up for it with an offensive rebound and layup to tie the game again with 53 seconds remaining.
Regulation ended with a strange play. With a one second difference between the game clock and the shot clock, Cirone missed a jumper in the final seconds. The shot did not hit the rim and Wichita State's Jacie Hoyt came down with the rebound and started to advance the ball down court for a last-second heave. The horn sounded for the end of the ISU shot clock, but Hoyt thought it was the game buzzer, picked the ball up and ran to the bench. The referees checked the replay and gave ISU the ball on a travelling call with 1.4 seconds remaining. The Redbirds inbounded the ball to Lewis, who had an open shot near the free throw line, but it went wide.
Lewis and Marcy Sudbeck traded a pair of buckets each to begin overtime. A pair of free throws by Siemens put the Shockers ahead by two, but Krick answered with a three-pointer. After a stop on defense, the Redbirds ran some time off the clock and Lewis missed a jumper, but pulled in the offensive rebound from three other players to continue the ISU possession. Cirone was fouled and made two free throws to extend the Redbird lead to three, 71-68. She added two more free throws with six seconds left to seal the win.
Illinois State visits Missouri State Monday at 7:05 p.m. The game can be seen on FSN Midwest, with Dan McLaughlin and former ISU head coach Jill Hutchison providing the commentary.
