Jan. 22, 2011
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Post-Game Interview
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's basketball team (12-6, 4-3 MVC) continued their home success after defeating Drake (9-9, 3-4 MVC), 60-45, in their 11th straight home Missouri Valley Conference victory, Sunday on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. Katie Broadway led the way for the Redbirds putting up 15 points with Emily Hanley and Shala Jackson scoring 12 points.
The first half had a slow start as the Redbirds missed their first four shots, but quickly recovered to take a 7-0 lead. Drake's slow start lasted even longer as the Bulldogs missed their first nine shots, with the Redbirds blocking four. Drake's first points came on a layup nearly six minutes into the game.
A three pointer cut the Redbird lead to three, 18-15. The Redbirds responded by going on a 7-1 run, capped by Broadway's three pointer, to gain their largest lead of the first half and break away from the Bulldogs, 25-16.
The Bulldogs then scored six-straight points to close in on the Redbird lead, 25-22. In the final minute of the half, Amanda Clifton stole the ball at mid-court and broke free for a layup to give ISU a 27-22 half time lead.
Broadway led ISU's scoring for the first half with eight points, including two three-point field goals, followed by Emily Hanley and Shala Jackson's six points. The Redbirds shot 40 percent overall and held the Bulldogs to just 30 percent.
To start off the second half, Drake's Kayla Person connected with a three-pointer to close in on the Redbirds lead, 27-25. The Redbirds broke away with a 13-1 tear, with Broadway scoring five points, 44-28. During their run, the `Birds were able to hold Drake to no scoring opportunities for nearly four minutes.
A Redbird basket from Candace Sykes gave ISU their largest lead of the game, 56-39 while the Redbirds' defense found their niche against the Bulldogs, recording a season high 10 blocks for the first time since Feb. 15, 2008 against Indiana State. Assisting in the `Birds defensive effort, were Kenyatta Shelton's 11 rebounds; nine of which were defensive boards. The `Birds were also able to hold Drake's Kristin Turk, the Missouri Valley Conference's leading scorer, to her second lowest point total of the season.
Drake now holds a 31-30 record all-time against the Redbirds. Illinois State also set a season record by holding the Bulldogs to just 45 points, the fewest they have allowed all year.
Illinois State is on the road to face Southern Illinois Thursday at 12 p.m.
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