Dec. 2, 2010
REDBIRDS-FLAMES SERIES
Illinois State leads the all-time series with Illinois-Chicago, 11-2. Illinois State won the first nine meetings before UIC picked up two-consecutive wins in 1997 and 2002. ISU has won the last two matchups in 2003 and 2009. The series began in the 1977-78 season, with an annual contest through the 1983-84 season. A single game in 1986 was followed by home-and-home series in 1996-97 and 2002-03. Both of UIC's wins in the series have come in Normal.
LAST TIME OUT
Illinois State lost its second-consecutive game, falling at DePaul, 100-83, Wednesday. The Redbirds allowed 100 points for just the seventh time in 40 years, and the first since Kansas State scored 105 in the 2004 Preseason WNIT. DePaul was led by Keisha Hampton's 30 points, making her the first ISU opponent to eclipse 30 points since Kansas' Danielle McCary netted 31 in the 2009 Postseason WNIT Semifinals. DePaul scored 15 unanswered points in just under four minutes to take a commanding 35-19 lead in the first half. After a three-pointer by Katie Broadway snapped the ISU scoring drought, DePaul responded with a 12-2 run to take its biggest lead of the game, 47-24. ISU used a 14-4 run to cut the deficit to 10 points, 70-60, midway through the second half. DePaul followed that with a 10-2 run to regain control.
DEPAUL NOTABLES
Illinois State has lost consecutive games for the first time in 43 games ... DePaul shot 64.5 percent in the first half, scored 17 points off 11 ISU turnovers and scored 11 second-chance points ... Illinois State shot a season-high 65.4 percent in the second half ... ISU shot 55.2 percent in the game, also a season-best ... DePaul scored 56 points in the first half, the most by a Redbird opponent since Robert Morris scored 52 in the second half in the 2008 Preseason WNIT ... Emily Hanley, Katie Broadway and Shala Jackson combined for 24 of ISU's 37 points on 10-of-18 shooting ... ISU outscored DePaul in the second half, 46-44 ... DePaul shot 14 more free throws and made 16 more than ISU.
HOME SWEET HOME
Redbird Arena has been a welcome place for Illinois State over recent years. The Redbirds are 51-12 at home since the 2007-08 season, which includes a 23-4 record against non-conference opponents. ISU win over Eastern Illinois (Nov. 18) extended its home-opener winning streak to eight games.
