Late Push Not Enough for Redbirds

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Illinois State Women's Basketball dropped to the Valparaiso Crusaders 56-50 in last minute battle.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Paige Saylor put the Redbirds on the board as she opened the game with a layup to lead 2-0. Valpo was strong from the field and took off on a 9-point run to pull an early 9-2 lead. Simone Goods captured her first career 3-pointer with 4:09 on the clock in the first to tighten the gap to 9-7. The Crusaders continued consistency from the field shooting 53.8 percent and would finish ahead 22-12 at the conclusion of the first quarter.

Redbirds fought back in the second quarter and outscored the Crusaders 14-10 and trailed by as little as two points. Valparaiso finished the half with a four-point run to remain on top 32-26 at halftime.

Katrina Beck put up a jump shot to open the third, but Valpo quickly responded with a 3-pointer by Dani Franklin. Valparaiso proved to be a threat behind the arc tonight as they netted nine 3-pointers, shooting 40.9 percent. Redbirds came up short 48-39 at the end of the third quarter.

The Redbirds outscored the Crusaders 11-8 in the fourth quarter, but the last minute push was not enough to take down Valpo. Illinois State found themselves within four points of the Crusaders twice in the fourth quarter, but could not get ahead. Valparaiso finished with a 56-50 victory.

 INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Viria Livingston led the Birds as she captured her first double-double this season scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
• Hannah Green added 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.  
• Saylor continues to be a stealing threat as she snuck away with five steals today. The freshman point guard also added eight points and three rebounds for the Redbirds.
• The Crusaders put in nine 3-pointers, which ties for the most allowed by the Redbirds this season.
• MVC leading scorer Dani Franklin led all scorers tonight with 17 points.

Stat of the Game

• Saylor scored the first four points for Illinois State tonight, which is the first time this season that she has been the first scorer of the game.
• Goods sunk her first career three-pointer in tonight's game to keep her team within reach of the Crusaders early on in the game.

What's Next
The Redbirds finish their two-game road swing on Sunday in the Windy City at Loyola University. Tip-off time is set for 1 p.m.  

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