NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team fell to Evansville, 62-50, Friday night inside Redbird Arena despite a season-best shooting performance from three-point range.
Katy Winge knocked in three 3-pointers en route to her 20-point performance against the Purple Aces (9-7, 4-1 MVC). Winge also led the team in assists, dishing out five. Taylor Stewart was the only other Redbird in double-digits, netting 10 points on 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc. The Redbirds (0-15, 0-4) shot 31 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three-point territory. ISU's eight treys were the most in a game this season. Evansville had the slight advantage on the boards, pulling down 38 just two more than the Redbirds' 36.
Winge started the game on fire from the floor, as she scored ISU's first four field goals. In the opening half, the Redbirds were connecting from three-point range, as they had four 3-pointers. Evansville led through most of the first half, but Illinois State tied the game, 14-14, on a Stewart three at the 9:34 mark of the half.
ISU shot 7-of-20 (35 percent) from the field and 4-of-9 (44 percent) from beyond the arc in the opening half. Despite the strong shooting, ISU went into the locker room trailing Evansville, 30-25.
Octavia Crump hit a jumper, and Stekara Hall was fouled on a three-point shot and made two of three free throws to pull ISU within three points of Evansville early in the second half. The Aces answered with a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 10 points.
The Redbirds hit a dry patch in the middle of the second half, as they went scoreless over a four-minute stretch. Winge then regained momentum, as she drained back-to-back threes to bring ISU within nine points. Colleene Smith connected on a jumper, pulling the Redbirds within six points, 49-43, with five minutes left to play.
Evansville's Khristian Hart put the Redbirds away with her fourth 3-pointer of the game, which gave the Aces a 55-43 lead with just 2:22 to play in regulation. ISU ran out of time, as Evansville went on to win the game, 62-50.
Hart led the Purple Aces with 24 points and four assists, while Sara Dickey contributed 14 points for the Aces.
The Redbirds will return to action Sunday, when they host Indiana State in the annual PACK the Arena game. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:05 p.m., and admission to the game is free.
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