Dec. 22, 2011
Final Stats
Postgame Interview with Stephanie Glance
Play-by-Play Highlights
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -
Four Redbirds recorded double-digit scoring performances, but their efforts weren't enough as the Illinois State women's basketball team fell in its non-conference finale to Michigan, 76-59, Thursday at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich.
"It was a battle of the inside today and that was the difference of the game," said head coach Stephanie Glance. "I felt like our perimeter did really well, but it came down to an ineffective day on both ends of the court for us. We couldn't stop them inside, and we couldn't score."
Katie Broadway led Illinois State with 18 points, while Jamie Russell netted 17 points and Alexis Jenkins and Candace Sykes each added 10 points. The last time four Redbirds had double-digit scoring efforts was last season against Missouri State (Feb. 12). Sykes also brought down five rebounds and handed out four assists. Illinois State (5-6) shot 42 percent from the field, as Michigan (11-2) was 56 percent from the field. The Wolverines outrebounded the Redbirds by 10 boards, 33-23.
Sykes started the game off strong, as the junior guard made the first five points for ISU, giving the Redbirds a 5-2 lead just over a minute into the game, but back-to-back free throws and a jumper gave Michigan the lead, 11-7, with 16:33 remaining in the first half. At the 14:30 mark in the first half, Russell dove to keep the ball from going out, but before she hit the floor, she found Sykes at the top of the key, who drained a three to get the Redbirds within two, 14-12.
Illinois State was scoreless for over three minutes, as Michigan took a nine-point lead, 27-18, with 9:03 left in the game. The Wolverines continued to keep the momentum, as they used a five-point run to take a 13-point lead, 36-23, with six minutes left before the half. Not willing to head into the locker room without a fight, ISU had a six-point run shrinking the Wolverines' lead to seven points, 36-29, with 2:12 left before the half. Russell's quickness came back into play during the run, as the junior guard recorded a steal and a fastbreak layup to end the run. Jenkins hit a shot with 11 seconds left in the half to send ISU into the locker room down by nine, 40-31.
Sykes led the Redbirds in the first half with 10 points and three rebounds, while Broadway added eight points. Sykes also recorded three steals, as Russell had two. Illinois State shot 43 percent from the field and Michigan was 60 percent. The Wolverines outrebounded the Redbirds, 16-10.
Michigan went on an 8-0 run before Jenkins hit a jumper in the lane to get within 13 points, 53-40, with 13:36 left in the game, but back-to-back Wolverine three pointers gave Michigan a 59-43 advantage with just under 11 minutes left in the game. The Wolverines continued to be strong offensively with a 10-point run, while holding the Redbirds scoreless for four minutes, 63-43, with 8:44 left in the game.
The Redbirds and the Wolverines exchanged points for the final five minutes of the game, but ISU couldn't overcome the deficit and fell to Michigan, 76-59.
ISU will host Southern Illinois Friday, Dec. 30, to open Missouri Valley Conference play. The game is slated to begin at 6:05 p.m.
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