TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Illinois State Women's Basketball fell in a thrilling fourth quarter fight to the Indiana State Sycamores.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Redbirds won possession and quickly put up two in the first minute of the game. Indiana State responded with an eight-point run to take the lead. Katrina Beck tightened the gap for the Redbirds as she netted a 3-pointer with 5:15 on the clock. Illinois State faced difficulty from the field and the Sycamores took advantage. Illinois State trailed 16-8 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
Redbirds tightened the gap to 16-13 with a jump shot from Megan Talbot and a 3-pointer from Paige Saylor to open the second quarter. The Sycamores were held up by the Illinois State defense and were only able to put in nine points, compared to Illinois State's 15. Redbirds closed out the first half strong, scoring six points in the last two minutes to trail 25-23. Â
The Redbirds were on a relentless pursuit in the third quarter and tied the game for the first time since the start of the game with 7:52 on the clock. The teams battled it out in back-and-forth style throughout the third, but the Redbirds powered through, outscoring the Sycamores 18-13. Illinois State led 41-38 at the end of the third.
Katrina Beck was fouled and scored two at the charity stripe to open the final quarter of the game. Sycamores responded with a jump shot to trail 43-40. The Redbirds held a lead over the Sycamores until the final three minutes. Ashley Taia sunk a 3-pointer to put the Sycamores ahead 45-43.Redbirds tied it up 45-45 with a layup by Beck with 3:05 on the clock. The Sycamores closed out the game with a five-point run to capture a 52-49 victory.
 INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Three Redbirds scored in double digits today…Beck led with 15, Hannah Green and Saylor each added 11.
- Talbot added six points, nine rebounds and two assists for the Redbirds.
- Ashley Taia led for the Sycamores with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.
- Indiana State's bench outscored the Redbird bench 17-6.
Stat of the Game
- This is the third straight game that Beck has scored in double digits for the Redbirds.
Quotes from Coach
"We got to get better because it doesn't get any easier. They're a great team and play extremely hard and their toughness took us out of what we wanted to do."
"It's a game of runs and they ended on a run and we couldn't answer."
What's Next
The Redbirds return home for a pair of MVC matchups against Drake on Friday at 7p.m. and Northern Iowa on Sunday at 2p.m.
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