Dec. 22, 2009
Box Score
CHARLESTON, Ill. -
Illinois State scored 52 points in the second half, pulling away early from Eastern Illinois and cruising to an 82-66 win in Lantz Arena on Tuesday evening. The Redbirds nearly doubled their scoring output from the first half and led by as many as 22 points. Senior Maggie Krick scored 12 points in the first eight minutes of the second half.
ISU dominated the second half, scoring 52 points on 19-of-35 shooting (54.3 %), outrebounding EIU 29-11, and scoring 18 second-chance points.
"I am really proud of our second-half effort. I felt like we really just brought it on the defensive end and it's amazing what can happen when you start knocking down some shots," said ISU head coach Robin Pingeton. "In the first half we were outrebounded and gave up nine turnovers against a team that doesn't press. I was really proud of the way the players responded in the second half."
Krick finished with a game-high 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists and one steal. Senior Ashleen Bracey added 18 points and seven rebounds.
Junior Shala Jackson turned in her first double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds. She did most of her damage in the second half with 11 points and six boards.
Before the second media timeout of the second half, Illinois State had opened up a 20-point lead with a 26-6 run. Krick scored 12 points and the Redbirds had 12 points in the paint, after scoring only eight in the entire first half.
The first half was about as evenly matched as possible, with both teams making 11 field goals. The only difference came with ISU making two more three-pointers and Eastern Illinois making two more free throws. Of the 28 shots ISU took in the half, 13 came from three-point range and only four of those were good. The Panthers owned a 16-8 advantage in points in the paint at the half.
Illinois State hosts DePaul Monday, Dec. 28, at 7:05 p.m.
