Jan. 16, 2010
Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. -
Point guards Amanda Clifton and Alexis Jenkins both had career-nights to lead Illinois State (10-5, 3-1 MVC) to a 75-60 win at Wichita State (11-6, 3-3 MVC) Saturday afternoon. Clifton scored a career-high 10 points, including five in the final three minutes, and Jenkins had a career-best 11 points, all in the first half.
Clifton and Jenkins were two of the five Redbirds to score in double-figures. Senior Maggie Krick led the team with 18 points and senior Nicolle Lewis turned in a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Senior Ashleen Bracey added 10 points.
Illinois State continued its hot shooting of late, making 24 of its 50 attempts, and shot 23-of-28 from the free throw line. The Redbirds scored 19 points off of 11 Wichita State turnovers.
"Wichita State plays such tough, physical defense that you won't come in here and not turn the ball over at all, but I was a little disappointed with some of our unforced turnovers in the first half. We were much stronger with the ball in the second half," said ISU head coach Robin Pingeton. "This is has always been a tough place to play, but we have a veteran team that showed great poise every time Wichita State tried to comeback."
Jenkins hit a pair of three-pointers from opposite corners of the court to spark a 13-2 Redbird run, giving them a 22-14 lead midway through the first half. Bracey and junior Shala Jackson picked up assists on both three-pointers by drawing in the defense with a drive and kicking out to a wide-open Jenkins.
Wichita State cut the lead to two with six-straight points and used an 11-2 run to take its first lead, 33-30. The Redbirds made just three field goals in the final 12:37 of the half, but shot 11-of-12 from the free throw line to maintain the lead, 34-33. Wichita State did not even attempt a free throw in the first half.
Back-to-back threes by Clifton and sophomore Katie Broadway gave ISU a double-digit lead for the first time, 52-41, with 13:24 left in the game. A 7-2 spurt brought WSU back within four points, but the Redbirds answered with four layups, two by Clifton on contested drives, to keep the lead at double-digits, 73-60.
Illinois State continues its road trip at Missouri State Monday at 7:05 p.m.
