Feb. 16, 2012
NORMAL, Ill. - The Redbirds will travel to Creighton Friday before heading to Drake Sunday. ISU has a 14-9 overall record and are 9-3 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Illinois State is in a three-way tie for first place in the Valley, winning six of its last seven games.
Four Redbirds scored in double-digits in the wins against Northern Iowa and Bradley last weekend. For her efforts in the victories, junior transfer Jamie Russell was named Valley Newcomer of the Week for the fifth time this season.
Creighton leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 28-16. The two teams have played twice annually every year since 1993. Creighton went 21-8 against ISU through 2005, including an eight-game winning streak. Since 2006, ISU has won eight games, while Creighton has won seven games in 15 meetings. Creighton has a commanding lead over Illinois State in games played in Omaha, Neb., 18-2.
FLASHBACK: JAN. 22, 2012-ILLINOIS STATE 79, CREIGHTON 66
Katie Broadway recorded the most memorable game of her Redbird career, as the senior guard set a new career-high with 29 points and became the 27th women's basketball player to score 1,000 points in ISU's win over Creighton, 79-66. Joining Broadway in double figures was Marley Hall who netted 15 points, and Jamie Russell, who added 10. The Redbirds shot a season-high 54 percent from the field, compared to the Bluejays' 43.5 percent. ISU outrebounded Creighton, 35-32.
ILLINOIS STATE-CREIGHTON SERIES
Creighton leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 28-16. The two teams have played twice annually every year since 1993.
Creighton went 21-8 against ISU through 2005, including an eight-game winning streak. Since 2006, ISU has won eight games, while
Creighton has won seven games in 15 meetings. Creighton has a commanding lead over Illinois State in games played in Omaha, Neb., the Bluejays lead 18-2.
FLASHBACK: JAN. 20, 2012-ILLINOIS STATE 71, DRAKE 67-OVERTIME
Illinois State improved to 9-8 and 4-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference after defeating Drake 71-67 in its fi rst overtime game this season. Candace Sykes led the Redbirds with 19 points and Katie Broadway and Marley Hall added 15 points each. In overtime, Drake didn't waste any time and posted three-consecutive baskets from the field for a 66-61 lead. The Redbirds responded with four points off of two free throws and a basket from Alexis Jenkins. Broadway sank a three to tie the game, 67-67, with less than a minute to play in the extra period. After a missed Drake free throw, Illinois State regained possession, but a missed jumper gave the Bulldogs the ball with 5.9 seconds to play. Broadway captured her second steal of the night and a Bulldog foul sent her to the line. Broadway converted both free throws to give ISU a 69-67 lead. With less than two seconds on the clock Drake committed another foul allowing Sykes to seal the win from the line for a 71-67 Redbird victory.
ILLINOIS STATE-DRAKE SERIES
Drake just barely leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 32-31. The series began in 1981 and the two teams have met at least twice annually since 1984. ISU posted a 14-10 record against Drake through 1994. From 1995-2004, The Bulldogs went 18-3 against ISU, including a 14-game winning streak. ISU is 12-4 against Drake since 2005, winning six-straight matchups before falling to Drake on Feb. 17, 2011 in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake leads the series 18-11 in games played at Des Moines, Iowa.
OFFENSIVE ATTACK
The Redbirds continue to have offensive threats from everywhere on the floor, as ISU has had four players recorded double-digit performances seven times this season. It was the sixth time during Missouri Valley Conference play that the Redbirds have had four players score double-digit efforts, with two of those six efforts coming against Northern Iowa. In ISU's win over Bradley (Feb. 12), four
Redbirds recorded double-digit scoring performances. Candace Sykes led all scorers with 20 points, while Katie Broadway netted 19.
Marley Hall had 17 points, while Jamie Russell added 11. Over the weekend, ISU scored 80 plus points in both victories, which marked the third time this season that the Redbirds have netted over 80 points. The last time came against Northern Illinois, when ISU won, 81-62, in Normal, Ill., on Nov. 26.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
After topping Bradley at home Sunday (Feb. 12), the Illinois State women's basketball team holds a 23-game conference win streak of games played on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, which is the third best all-time in league history. The last time ISU lost to a Missouri Valley Conference foe in Redbird Arena was during the 2009-10 season, when Creighton topped the Redbirds, 69-44, on Jan. 2, 2010. The Redbirds hold a 10-2 record in Redbird Arena this season. The last time ISU lost at home came against nationally-ranked DePaul on Dec. 19, 73-54.
FANTASTIC FIVE
In ISU's win over Northern Iowa, the Redbirds had only five players score in the 84-68 victory. With only five players scoring
84 points, that number averages out to 16.8 points per player, but four players scored in the double-digits. It is the third time this season that only five Redbirds had scored in a game. At Michigan (Dec. 22), five players scored, but the Redbirds fell to the Wolverines, 76-59. ISU also only had five players score against Bradley (Jan. 12), where Illinois State won by a close margin, 67-65.
BOXING OUT
In Friday's 84-68 victory over Northern Iowa, the Redbirds outrebounded the Panthers by 15 boards, 48-33. It was the fourth time in 11 Missouri Valley Conference games that ISU has outrebounded an opponent. The 15 rebounds is the second-largest margin the Redbirds have brought down more boards than opponents this season. ISU also grabbed 15 more boards than Evansville (Jan. 1). Illinois State recorded 18 more rebounds, 55-37, than Arkansas State at the ASU Classic (Dec. 2). ISU won the contest, 78-
50. The advantage on the boards was the largest margin the Redbirds had outrebounded an opponent all season.
SHE DID IT AGAIN
For the fifth time this season and the second-consecutive week, junior transfer Jamie Russell was named the Missouri Valley
Conference Newcomer of the Week (Feb. 13). Russell also received the honor on Nov. 28, Jan. 2, Jan. 16 and Feb. 6. Russell has played a crucial part for the Redbirds on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball during the 2011-12 season. On the season, Russell leads ISU in steals (53) and assists (85) and is the team's second-leading scorer with 12.1 points per game. Her performance over the weekend helped the Redbirds move into a three-way tie for first place in the Valley. Russell is currently in the top-five in the Valley in steals and assists. Russell just missed a double-double in ISU's win Friday over Northern Iowa, 84-68, with 17 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes of play. She also recorded four steals and two blocks in the victory. Against Bradley, she netted 11 points and grabbed four rebounds, while dishing out six assists. Russell was perfect from the charity stripe, making 5-of-5.
FIRST IN THE NATION
Out of 239 ranked teams, the ISU women's basketball team is ranked No. 1 in the nation in three-point field goal percentage through Feb. 12. It is the first time this season that Illinois State has been in the top spot. ISU is ranked first with a 41 three-point field goal percentage, sinking 158 out of 390 attempts. The Redbirds' accurate shooting from three-point land also leads the Missouri Valley Conference, as junior guard Candace Sykes is at the top of the Valley with 48 percent of shots made from behind the arc.
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