Redbirds Host Wichita State, Missouri State This Weekend

Feb. 9, 2011

Illinois State continues its run of redemption with two home games this weekend. ISU hosts Wichita State Thursday at 7:05 p.m. and Missouri State Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

The Redbirds hope to avenge road losses to both the Shockers and Lady Bears from last month. Both teams snapped long losing streaks to the Redbirds, six games for Wichita State and eight for Missouri State. ISU is looking to extend six-game home winning streaks against both teams and remain undefeated at Redbird Arena.

REDBIRDS-SHOCKERS SERIES
Illinois State leads the all-time series with Wichita State, 38-19. The series began in 1980 and the two teams have met twice annually since 1984. ISU won 15 of the first 17 meetings, with 10 victories coming by double-digits. Wichita State posted a 12-10 record against the Redbirds in the next 22 matchups. Since 2003, ISU is 12-5 against the Shockers, but Wichita State snapped a six-game losing streak to the Redbirds with a 59-56 home win in January. ISU is 15-6 all-time against Wichita State at Redbird Arena, winning the last six-consecutive games.

FLASHBACK: WICHITA STATE 59 - ILLINOIS STATE 56 (1/16/11)
ISU erased an 18-point second-half deficit with 90 seconds left, but couldn't complete the comeback at Wichita State on Jan. 16, losing 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.

REDBIRDS-LADY BEARS SERIES
Missouri State leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 31-28. The two teams have met annually since 1984. ISU won 12 of the first 15 meetings. From 1991-2005, Missouri State posted a 26-6 record against the Redbirds, including a string of 11-consecutive wins. An upset win for the Redbirds in the 2005 MVC Tournament started a 10-1 streak over the Lady Bears, which included eight-straight wins. That streak was snapped with a 76-61 Missouri State win in January. Illinois State is 11-11 all-time against Missouri State at Redbird Arena, winning the last six-consecutive games

FLASHBACK: MISSOURI STATE 76 - ILLINOIS STATE 61 (1/11/11)
Illinois State's offense sputtered for the second-straight game, as the Redbirds lost at Missouri State, 76-61, Tuesday. The Redbirds shot just 35 percent from the field and struggled through long scoring droughts. Emily Hanley led the Redbirds with 22 points and eight rebounds. Four players scored during a 10-2 run that put ISU ahead, 16-12, with 12 minutes left in the first half. Missouri State stormed back with four three-pointers in a 16-2 run and took a 42-32 lead into the half. Missouri State opened the second half with a 17-5 run, as the Redbirds shot just 1-for-11 from the field in the first 10 minutes of action. Illinois State committed 21 turnovers and Missouri State blocked 10 shots, the most by a Redbird opponent this season.

REDBIRDS GO PINK AGAINST THE LADY BEARS
Illinois State will host its annual PINK game, in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, against Missouri State Feb. 12 at 1:05 p.m. In support of the cause, tickets for the game and select concessions are only $1. The Alamo II and Country Financial are sponsoring commemorative pink Nike t-shirts, which will be on sale for $20. At halftime, there will be a ceremony on the court recognizing all cancer survivors in attendance.

THE "MA" PATCH
Illinois State will wear special pink Nike uniforms and shoes for the game against Missouri State. The Redbirds will also be wearing an "MA" patch on their jerseys, in remembrance of Molly Arnold, ISU's former director of admissions, who lost her nine-year battle with cancer on Aug. 4, 2010, at the age of 48. Prior to her death, Arnold was the recipient of the Missouri Valley Conference's Most Courageous Award in 2009.

WE'RE GOING STREAKING!!
Illinois State is currently on a five-game winning streak, tied for its longest of the season. ISU won five-consecutive games at the end of December into the start of January. The Redbirds have had a winning streak of at least five games in each of the last five seasons.

CRANK UP THE D!
Illinois State's current winning streak can be attributed to a resurgence of the Redbird defense. In three-consecutive losses prior to the streak, ISU allowed 69.7 points per game. In the five wins since then, the Redbird defense has tightened up, allowing 49.6 points per game and holding opponents to a 33.8 shooting percentage. The Redbirds are forcing 20.8 turnovers per game and swiping 11.6 steals per game. ISU held Drake and Southern Illinois under 50 points, forcing a combined 50 turnovers in the two games. In the win over Evansville, the Redbirds held the Purple Aces to just 13 points on 3-of-21 shooting in the second half. In the win over Indiana State, ISU outscored the Sycamores 44-20 in the second half, including a 25-7 run.

HOME SWEET HOME
Illinois State has made Redbird Arena a comfortable nest over the last four seasons, posting an overall record of 587-12 and a Valley record of 33-8 at home. ISU is 10-0 at home this season, which is the fourth-best home court start in program history. Dating back to last season, ISU has won 12-consecutive Valley home games.