Feb. 12, 2012
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NORMAL, Ill. -
Four Illinois State players scored in double figures, as the Redbirds (14-9, 9-3 MVC) defeated in-state rival Bradley (13-12, 4-9 MVC) by a score of 82-63 on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, Sunday afternoon. With this win, ISU moves into a three-way tie for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference with Missouri State and Wichita State.
Leading the way in the points column for Illinois State were Candace Sykes, Katie Broadway, Marley Hall, and Jamie Russell, who scored 20, 19, 17 and 11 points, respectively. Sykes tied a career high with her 20 points and Broadway has now scored in double figures in nine-straight contests.
Broadway opened the scoring for the Redbirds, draining her 200th-career three pointer just one minute into the contest. She ranks third all-time for threes made. Sykes added five points of her own, contributing to the Redbirds' 15-5 run to start the game. In the process, ISU held Bradley from their first field goal until the 15:54 mark.
The Redbirds jumped out to an 11-point lead on another three-pointer by Broadway. However, that momentum was short lived when a jumper by Bradley's MacKenzie Westcott ignited an 8-0 run for the Braves, tying the game up at 22 with 7:38 left to play in the first half. Sykes scored the next five points, reclaiming the lead for Illinois State and starting an 18-8 run for the Redbirds to end the first half and taking a 10-point lead into the locker room at 40-30.
Illinois State shot 50 percent from the field (16-32) and 50 percent from beyond the arc (6-12). Broadway and Sykes led the scoring in the first, sinking 13 and 14 points, respectively. The Redbirds held the Braves to shooting just 35.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point land.
Bradley opened the second half scoring at the 19:13 mark with a three pointer by Catie O'Leary. The Braves continued putting points on the board, pulling within four of the Redbirds at 44-40. A three by Broadway and a layup by Hall put Illinois State back on track with a nine-point lead.
Katy Winge helped keep ISU on top, sinking back-to-back three balls. However, a layup by Leah Kassing with 8:59 left in the second half ignited a 5-0 run for the Braves, pulling them within four of the Redbirds with 6:58 left to play. Illinois State closed the game with a 23-8 run, solidifying 19-point victory.
The Redbirds are back in action Friday, Feb. 17, as they travel to Omaha, Neb., to take on the Bluejays of Creighton. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. CST.
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