Feb. 14, 2010
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NORMAL, Ill. - There's something about the Missouri State Bears that brings out the best in Illinois State's Ashleen Bracey. Bracey scored a career-high tying 26 points while helping Illinois State to a 82-72 win over the Bears Sunday on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena - the same amount she tallied in the Redbirds' road win against the Bears earlier this season. The win marked the 11th-consecutive for the red hot Redbirds (18-5, 11-1 MVC).
Bracey continued to make her mark in Illinois State history as she became the 25th player to surpass 1000 career points after going 11-for-17 from the field and helping key a massive 40-18 edge for ISU on points in the paint. Nicolle Lewis added 22 points for the Redbirds on 8-of-12 shooting, and pulled down 10 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season. Maggie Krick also reached double figures with 17 points.
The first half started out evenly matched with four lead changes and five ties. Illinois State surged ahead before the half and went into the break with a 36-32 lead. Lewis led ISU in the first half with 14-points and came down with four rebounds. Bracey also reached double figures in the first half with 12 points. Using a barrage of shots from inside the paint, the Redbirds shot 59.3 percent from the field, and were perfect from the free throw line.
The game remained close at the start of the second half, but the Bears (17-7, 9-4 MVC) were unable to keep pace with the Redbirds as ISU moved to the largest lead of the game, 12 points, at the 10:21 mark, and stayed ahead until the end. Missouri State pulled within five points at the 7:54 mark (60-55), but Illinois State pushed its lead back to 11. The Bears mounted one more attempt but could only pull within six with 43 seconds to go.
Jaleshia Roberson led Missouri State with 20 points, including five made three pointers, was joined in double figures by Casey Garrison (18), Christiana Shorter (10) and Lacey Bosche (10). Garrison led the Bears with seven rebounds.
The Redbirds start a two-game road trip in Evansville, Ind., Thursday at 7 p.m.
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