Jan. 19, 2011
REDBIRDS-BLUEJAYS SERIES
Creighton leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 27-14. The two teams have played twice annually every year since 1993. Creighton went 21-8 against ISU through 2005, including an eight-game winning streak. Since 2006, the two teams have split 12 meetings, including a win in the MVC Tournament for each. ISU's longest winning streak over Creighton is four games and the Redbirds have swept the season series just once (2006). Creighton has won six of the last eight meetings, including three-consecutive. Last season, Creighton swept the season series, winning by an average of 18 points per game.
REDBIRDS-BULLDOGS SERIES
Drake leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 31-29. The series began in 1981 and the two teams have met at least twice annually since 1984. ISU posted a 14-10 record against Drake through 1994. From 1995-2004, The Bulldogs went 18-3 against ISU, including a 14-game winning streak. ISU is 10-3 against Drake since 2005, winning the last five matchups. The Redbirds swept the season series last year, winning the two games by an average of 16.5 points per game. ISU has won seven-straight games at Redbird Arena, with Drake's last win coming in 2003.
LAST TIME OUT
ISU erased an 18-point second-half deficit in the final 90 seconds, but couldn't complete the comeback at Wichita State. The Redbirds lost their third-straight game, 59-56. The Redbirds scored a season-low 21 points on 7-of-22 shooting in the first half to trail, 34-21. Shala Jackson scored 20 of her career-high 25 points in the second half to spur the comeback. Jackson scored 12 of ISU's first 16 points in the half and six-straight layups pulled the Redbirds within six, 49-43. A layup completed the 30-8 run and the 18-point comeback to tie the score at 55 with 1:27 remaining. Wichita State made a fastbreak layup right after and two free throws sealed the win.
HOME SWEET HOME
Illinois State is happy to be back home after going 1-3 on its four-game road trip. ISU is 55-12 in Redbird Arena over the last four seasons, including a 30-8 record against Valley teams. ISU is 7-0 at home this season, which is tied for the sixth-best home court start in program history. Dating back to last season, ISU has won nine-consecutive Valley home games.
A STREAK OF A DIFFERENT COLOR
In recent years, Illinois State has enjoyed several long winning streaks. The Redbirds are currently enduring a streak of a different color - a losing streak. The Redbirds have lost their last three games; their longest losing streak since 2008. The Redbirds lost road games at Missouri State and Wichita State in the same season for the first time since 2006; snapping winning streaks of eight and six games against those teams, respectively. The Redbirds haven't lost four-straight game since 2006.
OFFENSIVELY CHALLENGED
A three-game losing streak won't ruin the season for the Redbirds, but their offensive performance in the two games is cause for some concern. In the last three games, Illinois State is averaging 57.3 points per game and shooting 34.6 percent from the field. Illinois State was averaging 72.8 points per game during its five-game winning streak prior to the recent losses. The Redbirds started the game at Indiana State shooting 1-for-14 from the field, shot 1-for-11 in the first 10 minutes of the second half against Missouri State and scored a season-low 21 points in the first half against Wichita State.
