Jan. 23, 2010
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NORMAL, Ill. - The third-largest crowd in program history watched Illinois State post its largest margin of victory this season, as Maggie Krick led the Redbirds to a 75-46 win over Evansville on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Saturday afternoon.
Krick was one of four Redbirds to reach double figures and keyed ISU to its most lopsided win of the year in front of 4,162 fans. The win moved Illinois State (13-5, 6-1 MVC) a full game ahead of the pack in the chase for the regular season Missouri Valley Conference title and extended the Redbirds season long winning streak to six games.
Ashleen Bracey and Nicolle Lewis each scored 12 points, and Katie Broadway chipped in 10 to join Krick in double digits. Bracey added a game-high nine rebounds and helped ISU to a 48-40 edge on the glass and a 38-12 edge in the paint. Emily Hanley turned in a solid effort with eight points and eight rebounds. The Redbirds shot 47.5 percent (28-of-59) for the game and limited Evansville (3-15, 0-7 MVC) to just 28 percent (14-for-50) from the field.
Illinois State built a 16-point cushion by halftime and never trailed after Hannah Spanich scored the game's first points on a pair of free throws. Illinois State was shooting 50 percent for the half before Amanda Clifton missed a pair of attempts before the buzzer. The Redbirds still finished with a 46.7 percent (14-for-30) mark in the opening period and forced 11 Evansville turnovers before halftime.
It only got worse for the Purple Aces in the second half, as Evansville's shooting percentage dropped from 33.3 percent to 16.2 percent in the second 20 minutes. Evansville scored just four points in the first six minutes of the second half and Illinois State pushed its lead to 33 points (63-30) by the 11:08 mark. That lead was the largest of the season for ISU.
Amy Gallagher scored 11 points to pace Evansville. Samantha Heck contributed nine points and seven rebounds in the losing effort. The Purple Aces were able to trim their turnover totals in the second half, committing just four to finish with 15 for the game.
Illinois State will look to make it seven in a row when it makes a two-game road swing through Northern Iowa (Jan. 28) and Bradley (Jan. 31). Limited tickets are available for next Sunday's game at Bradley due to its location at Illinois Central College in Peoria, Ill. Interested parties should contact the Redbird ticket office at (309) 438-8000.
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