NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team returns to action Sunday, as it welcomes Indiana State for the PACK the Arena game, beginning at 2:05 p.m. Admission to the game is free.
The Redbirds 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. 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 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.
Illinois State leads the all-time series with Indiana State, 47-38. The series, which began in 1972, is the second-longest in Illinois State history. Illinois State started out with a 30-16 record against Indiana State, including a string of 12-straight wins from 1980-87. Indiana State then won 13 of the next 14 meetings and Illinois State is 16-9 in the last 25 matchups. Illinois State holds a record of 29-16 over Indiana State in games played in Normal, Illinois.
PACK THE ARENA
Illinois State fans can enjoy free admission to Sunday's game, Jan. 18 at 2:05 p.m., when the Redbirds host Indiana State, for its annual PACK the Arena game. Admission to the game will be free with a PACK the Arena coupon that can be found around town at Radio Bloomington, Alamo II, McDonald's restaurants and Papa John's locations, as well as other local businesses, the Redbird Arena concourse, various campus locations or by printing off the online version. One lucky fan that fills out the back of a PACK the Arena coupon will be entered to win an autographed basketball signed by the Redbird women's basketball team.
SEEING THREES
Against Evansville (Jan. 16), the Redbirds poured in a season-high eight 3-pointers, but the effort wasn't enough, as ISU fell to the Purple Aces, 62-50. ISU shot 40 percent from three-point range, while its previous best was six 3-pointers, which it accomplished three times this season. Katy Winge poured in three shots beyond the arc, while Taylor Stewart set a career high with two made threes.
WORKING WINGE
Katy Winge led the Redbirds in Friday's game against Evansville (Jan. 16) with 20 points, shooting 7-of-18 from the field. Winge also netted three shots beyond the arc, including back-to-back threes in the second half. In the first half, Winge led all scorers with 14 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and had the first eight points for the Redbirds. Not only did the senior guard lead the team in scoring, but she also dished out a career-high five assists in the loss.
MOVING DOWN LOW
Earlier this season, sophomore Mackenzie Freeman made the transition from guard to forward and the move proved to pay off against Evansville (Jan. 16), as Freeman pulled down a career-high seven rebounds, including three offensive boards.
STOPPING THE THREE
In ISU's loss at Northern Iowa (Jan. 11), the Panthers drained 14 3-pointers in the contest, tying the most made threes by a Redbird opponent this season. DePaul also netted 14 shots beyond the arc on Dec. 28, 2014. Five Panthers connected from three-point range, as the team shot 47 percent from behind the arc. UNI was led by Amber Sorenson, who went 5-of-7 from three-point territory. Through 14 games, ISU opponents are shooting 33 percent from beyond the arc.
MORE FROM THE LINE
In the loss against Northern Iowa (Jan. 11), the Redbirds connected on 33 percent of their free throw attempts (3-of-9). It was the second time this season that ISU has shot below 50 percent from the line in a game. The first time was against UT Martin (Dec. 7), when ISU connected on 38 percent of its attempts at the charity stripe (8-of-21).
PLAYING IN THE PAINT
In ISU's loss to Drake (Jan. 9), the Bulldogs netted 57 percent of their field goal attempts, which was the highest field goal percentage by a Redbird opponent this season. ISU has allowed eight opponents to shoot 40 percent or better from the field this season. In the 86-51 loss to Drake, the Bulldogs scored 52 points in the paint, the most by an opponent this season. Miami (Nov. 28) scored 50 points in the paint.
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