Dec. 2, 2011
Final Stats
Postgame Interview with Stephanie Glance
Play-by-Play Highlights
TEMPE, Ariz. -
Junior guard Candace Sykes controlled the boards in the Illinois State women's basketball team's win against Arkansas State, 78-50, as she recorded a career-high 20 rebounds in the game Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. Sykes' 20 boards put her in a fifth-place tie for rebounds in a single game. The last time a Redbird player recorded 20 or more rebounds in a game was Dec. 4, 2010, when Kenyatta Shelton brought down 22 boards against Illinois-Chicago.
"Candace made a huge effort to go to the boards," head coach Stephanie Glance said. "We play four guards so we have to have our guards rebound. I am proud of Candace. It takes effort to rebound, and she put a lot of effort in for 40 minutes. We pushed the tempo more in the second half and we shot nearly 50 percent. Different people step up at different times for us, and I think that is the makeup of our team. We are still young, but we are getting there."
Alexis Jenkins and Katie Broadway each scored 16 points in the win, as Chloe Nelson and Katy Winge had career-high scoring efforts with 10 and eight points, respectively. Jenkins dished out five assists, as Jamie Russell, Nelson and Sykes each had three steals. The Redbirds (4-2) shot 43 percent from the field and recorded 55 rebounds, a team high on the season, as the Red Wolves (2-4) were 30 percent from the field and had 37 rebounds.
ISU fell behind, 7-2, to start the game, but Jenkins hit back-to-back shots to pull the Redbirds within one, 7-6, with 14:43 left in the first half. Arkansas State answered back and made six-straight points to increase their lead by six, 12-6 at the 12:44 minute mark.
ISU got the momentum back to its side, netting seven-straight points to take its first lead of the game, 14-12, with 10:38 left before the break. Jenkins led the scoring drive with three points and an assist to Broadway. Arkansas State took a one-point lead, but Illinois State responded with three-straight baskets, grabbing a five-point advantage, 24-19, with 4:08 left in the first. The Redbirds and the Red Wolves traded points the last four minutes of the game, but ISU held on to its lead heading into the locker room, 26-24.
Jenkins led all scorers with 11 points at the break, shooting 5-of-5 from the field. Broadway added six points, while Sykes led all rebounders with eight boards. ISU shot 39 percent from the field and had 25 rebounds, as ASU shot 26 percent in the first half and collected 22 boards.
The Redbirds opened the second half on a 13-0 run, which lasted the first three minutes of the half. Maddie Oliver and Russell had back-to-back three-point plays, giving the Redbirds the momentum, 39-24, with 17:25 left in the game. ISU made five-straight points, including three free throws by Marley Hall to take a 17-point lead, 52-35, with 11:36 left in the game.
ISU continued to dominate offensively in the second half. Illinois State took its largest lead of the game with just under a minute remaining, when Nelson completed a three-point play to give ISU a 31-point lead, 78-47. Arkansas State wasn't able to battle back, as the Redbirds won, 78-50.
ISU will play Saturday in the championship game against Arizona State. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. (CST) in Wells Fargo Arena. It will be the fifth meeting between the two teams.
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