Jan. 28, 2010
Box Score
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -
In a hard fought, physical game, Illinois State (14-5, 7-1 MVC) was the last team standing, beating Northern Iowa (7-12, 3-5 MVC), 70-64, to extend its winning streak to seven games. The three Redbird seniors led the way, combining for 51 points and 26 rebounds.
Ashleen Bracey and Nicolle Lewis both turned in double-doubles. Bracey led all scorers with 19 points and had 10 rebounds, while Lewis added 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Redbirds improved to 11-0 when a player has a double-double. Maggie Krick added 14 points and six rebounds.
"Our seniors have been through a lot and are great leader," said ISU head coach Robin Pingeton. After we fell behind 9-0 to start the game, the seniors really took accountability in the huddle and rallied the team around that. That is a hard thing for adults to do, let alone young student-athletes. They showed great toughness and came up with big plays on both offense and defense at the end of the game."
Northern Iowa made its first three shots, all from beyond the arc, to take a 9-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. It took ISU over four minutes to score, with Bracey knocking down a three from the left side.
UNI led throughout the first half until a three-pointer and jumper by Krick gave ISU its first lead, 25-23, with 5:10 remaining. In a frenetic two-minute span, the two teams traded baskets and the lead six times. Lewis scored the last basket and ISU led at the half, 31-30.
ISU had 12 turnovers to the half, leading to 14 UNI points.
After ISU went up by six points, back-to-back threes by Nicole Clausen and Jacqui Kalin tied the game for the second time, 43-43. ISU answered with a 9-2 run, capped by a three-point play from Bracey, to jump back ahead, 52-45. Kalin scored seven points to keep UNI within three, 57-54.
ISU went inside to Lewis for a layup and after Krick came up with a steal on a UNI fastbreak, Lewis scored again over a double-team, putting the Redbirds ahead by seven again, 61-54.
After a pair of free throws cut the deficit down to four, Bracey nailed two jump shots, including one on an inbounds play as the shot clock expired, to put ISU ahead by eight with a minute remaining.
After shooting just three free throws in the first half, Illinois State was 10-of-13 in the second half. UNI put the second-best free throw shooting team in the nation into the bonus with 9:27 left in the game and the Redbirds shot 9-for-11 from the free throw line after that.
Illinois State visits Bradley Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at Ramsey Gymnasium in East Peoria, Ill.
