Jan. 19, 2009
Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -
Big runs at the end of each half and a dominating performance by its starters propelled Illinois State (13-4, 4-1 MVC) over Missouri State (5-12, 1-5 MVC), 83-70, Monday night. With the win, Illinois State moved into a four-way tie for first place in the Valley with Bradley, Indiana State and Northern Iowa.
The Illinois State starters would have beaten Missouri State on their own, combining for 72 points in the game. ISU held a 47-32 advantage in rebounds, scored 50 points in the paint and had 29 second-chance points.
Kristi Cirone turned in another tremendous individual effort, nearly achieving the fourth triple-double in school history with 20 points, nine assists, a career-high tying eight rebounds and three steals. She eclipsed the 1,800 point mark for her career and moved to just two assists from tying Denise Norton for the school record.
Shala Jackson scored a career-high 21 points, just the second 20-point effort of her career, on a career-best 10 field goals and added five rebounds. Nicolle Lewis turned her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds and had a game-high three blocks. Ashleen Bracey had a season-best 12 rebounds and a career-high seven assists.
"We did a great job rebounding the ball," said head coach Robin Pingeton. "We knew that Missouri State rebounded the ball really well against Indiana State Saturday and we felt that was going to dictate the outcome tonight. This was a great team effort. Our bench gave us some great minutes, especially in the first half that allowed us to take advantage of our transition."
The teams traded baskets early on until Krick and Jackson took over the Redbird offense. Trailing by two, the Redbird guards combined for 16 of ISU's next 20 points and put the Redbirds ahead, 28-20.
The biggest difference in the first half was Illinois State's rebounding effort, particularly on the offensive end. The Redbirds outrebounded the Lady Bears, 27-17, and pulled down 16 offensive boards, turning them into 24 second-chance points. Bracey came up with perhaps the biggest offensive board of the game when she battled with two Lady Bears for a rebound and found Cirone at the top of the key for a wide-open three-pointer that put ISU ahead by double-digits for the first time, 36-26. Cirone's three also started a 12-4 Redbird run to close out the half and put them ahead, 45-30, at halftime.
The Redbird run continued into the second half with two baskets in the first minute, prompting Missouri State head coach Nyla Milleson to take all five of her starters out in one mass substitution. A Jackson layup put ISU ahead by 20, but then the Lady Bear reserves went on a 12-2 run, including three three-pointers, to cut the deficit in half, 53-43.
After a three-pointer by Casey Garrison cut the Redbird lead to nine points, five different players scored during a 22-9 run to give the `Birds their biggest lead of the game, 79-57, with 3:40 remaining.
Illinois State returns home Thursday to host Evansville (8-8, 1-4 MVC) Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
