Dec. 21, 2010
Box Score
Post-Game Interview
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -
Illinois State (6-3) beat Alabama-Birmingham (7-4) in overtime, 63-55, in the final game of the 2010 Caribbean Classic Tuesday afternoon. ISU used a 13-2 run spanning the end of regulation and beginning of overtime for the comeback win.
Emily Hanley was named to the all-tournament team, providing 12 points and seven rebounds against the Blazers. Shala Jackson scored a game-high 15 points in just 18 minutes, as foul trouble limited her playing time. Kenyatta Shelton grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds; her second double-digit rebounding effort in the last four games.
"This was the kind of late-game effort we have been looking for all season. We really clicked and showed a commitment to win down the stretch," said ISU head coach Stephanie Glance. "We played good defense the entire game, but our offense struggled late in the second half. In the final minute of regulation and into overtime, we found a rhythm right when we needed. Shala was a big spark for us on both ends. Her defense in over time was tremendous, especially when you consider she had four fouls."
Both teams struggled offensively to start the game, with each shooting 1-for-8 from the field. Jala Harris hit three three-pointers from well behind the men's line to propel UAB to an 11-5 lead in the first eight minutes. Katie Broadway and Hanley provided five points each during a 10-0 run that put ISU ahead, 17-13. The Redbirds held UAB scoreless for nearly four minutes.
UAB quickly tied the score again at 17, but the Redbirds answered with seven-straight points to maintain the lead, 24-17. Jackson hit a three-pointer and two free throws to start the run and had nine points in the half before her third foul sent her to the bench for the final five minutes.
After that run, the Redbirds went over four minutes without scoring and UAB hit a couple of baskets to cut the halftime deficit to 26-21. ISU held UAB to just 31 percent shooting (9-29) and aside from Harris' three three-pointers early, the Blazers missed their other six shots from long distance.
The offensive struggles continued into the second half as the Redbirds went the first 5:30 without a field goal. UAB took advantage, tying the score on another long three by Harris and taking the lead, 31-29, on a layup by Destiny Samuels, at the 14:49 mark. ISU had just one shot, missed three free throws and turned the ball over four times during that span.
Six-straight points put the Redbirds back on top by two, but UAB answered quickly with six points of its own in just over a minute to keep a four-point lead, 43-39. As the Redbird offense continued to struggle, a little bit of luck came into play. With the shot clock nearing zero, Amanda Clifton threw up a turn-around three-pointer from the wing that went in to tie the score at 44 with 6:19 remaining.
ISU didn't make a field goal the rest of the half, but the Blazers failed to pull away. Two free throws by Jackson tied the score at 47 heading into the final minute of regulation. UAB went right down the court for a jumper, but Broadway answered with a jumper on the baseline to keep the score tied with 27.5 seconds left. The Blazers had the final possession and after a jumper was blocked, Harris put up a long three at the last second that fell just short of the rim.
Two more Jackson free throws started the eight unanswered points for the Redbirds in overtime to take a 57-49 lead. UAB pulled within five at the one-minute mark and forced a turnover with full-court pressure, but Jackson, playing with four fouls, drew a charge on a driving Blazer to keep it a two-possession game. Jackson had another big defensive play two possessions later, blocking a three-pointer at the top of the key.
Illinois State returns home to host UW-Milwaukee Tuesday, Dec. 28, at 7:05 p.m.
