EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Despite a spectacular season-opening performance from senior Simone Goods, the Illinois State women's basketball team was unable to overcome SIUE's fourth quarter surge, ultimately falling to the Cougars by a score of 68-61 in Edwardsville, Illinois, Sunday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Goods was the driving force behind the Redbird offense in the first half, scoring the first Redbird basket at the 7:11 mark in the first quarter and never looking back. Although Goods did not truly hit her stride until the second quarter, her teammates had her back, as five other 'Birds got on the board early. ISU attacked the rim well, with Mary Crompton, Katrina Beck, TeTe Maggett, and Lexy Koudelka all grabbing first quarter baskets in the paint.

By the second quarter, Goods could not be stopped, scoring 10 of ISU's 17 points in that period. Heading into the half, Goods had already tallied 15 points and secured eight rebounds, including three offensive. She also shot a perfect five-for-five from the free throw line. Goods was a key reason that the 'Birds entered the locker room with a 31-28 lead.

Goods picked up right where she left off to start the third, scoring the first eight points of the quarter for the Redbirds off of two strong baskets inside and four more made free throws. By halfway through the third period, Goods had already reached the double-double mark, making it the fifth of her career.

SIUE continued to knock on the door in the third quarter, cutting the ISU lead to one with six minutes left in the period. However, Paige Saylor kept the Cougars in check, scoring three lay-ups over the next two minutes to put the Redbirds back up by five. Freshman sharp shooter Kayel Newland followed with a three-point basket to increase the Redbird lead to eight with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter. She did not stop there, hitting another three from the top of the key several possessions later.

The start of the fourth quarter was marked by a total change in momentum, as SIUE opened the period on an 8-2 run, quickly diminishing ISU's lead. After a media timeout at the 7:30 mark, a clutch three from Crompton appeared to have the Redbirds moving back in the right direction. However, the Cougars would go on a 13-0 run over the next five minutes of play, as Illinois State found themselves down eight with 2:41 remaining in the game. Despite Crompton scoring two more baskets for a 5-0 run of her own in the final minutes of the game, it was not enough, and the 'Birds fell 68-61.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Goods finished the contest with a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, five of which were offensive, to post the fifth double-double of her career. She was also perfect from the charity stripe, finishing the day nine-for-nine.
- As a team, the 'Birds were 92.4% from the free-throw line, shooting 13-for-14.
- In her Illinois State debut, Crompton chipped in 10 points for the 'Birds, also tallying four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
- Also wearing an ISU uniform for the first time, Newland tallied eight points, shooting three-of-seven from the field and two-of-four from long range.
- Forward Megan Talbot had a team-high three assists to go along with three rebounds.
- The Cougars had three student-athletes score in double-figures: Allie Troeckler (13), Nakiah Bell (13), and Sydney Bauman (12). Bauman also pulled down 12 rebounds for a double-double.

UP NEXT
The Illinois State women's basketball team will be back in action Wednesday, Nov. 14, when they return to Redbird Arena for a 7 p.m. match-up with North Dakota.

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