INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Illinois State women's basketball dropped to Butler 58-56 in last minute battle on Sunday, Nov. 25.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams began strong on defense and were scoreless until TeTe Maggett stepped back for a long jumper with 7:25 on the clock in the first quarter. Katrina Beck followed for the 'Birds and netted a 3-point shot to take a 5-0 lead. Butler responded with a 6-0 run before the first media timeout. Illinois State returned to the floor and added two from Beck to battle back. Butler responded with a 3-pointer, but Maggett closed out the quarter with two to tie the game 9-9.
Maggett remained consistent from the field in the second period, and opened with a 3-point shot to put the 'Birds back in the lead. The junior guard finished the first half, shooting 57 percent from the field, going 2-for-2 from behind the arc. Illinois State entered a three minute scoring drought and the Bulldogs battled ahead. Mary Crompton brought the 'Birds back in with a 3-pointer to come within two. Maggett was sent to the line and added one to tighten the gap. Butler entered foul trouble and the Redbirds reaped the benefits. Illinois State went 7-for-8 from the line, with six attempts occurring in the last four minutes of the half. The Redbirds finished the second quarter with a 27-24 lead.
Simone Goods added her first two of the game with 9:15 on the clock in the third to lead by five. The Redbirds remained ahead until the final three minutes of the period. Whitney Jennings knocked down a three to put the Bulldogs up by one with 2:58 on the clock. The team added five more to push the gap to six. Frannie Corrigan and Viria Livingston each added a point at the charity stripe to trail 43-38. Beck finished the third quarter, sinking a 3-pointer at the buzzer to trail 43-41.
Illinois State tied the game twice, but could not find a way on top. The game came down to the final minute as Maggett sunk a 3-pointer with 26 seconds on the clock. The Redbirds trailed by one, but time was limited. Illinois State was forced to foul and Butler added three points at the line. Maggett added a layup, but the clock expired, resulting in a 58-56 loss.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Maggett led all scorers and added a new career high with 22 points, going 4-for-6 from behind the arc. The junior guard also added a personal best of seven assists and six rebounds.
- Beck added a season high of 13 points and contributed three rebounds and two assists.
- The Redbirds doubled their shots from 3-point range today...the team has scored four in every contest this season and added eight today.
- Three Bulldogs added double digits with Whitney Jennings (17), Kristen Spolyar (15) and Michelle Weaver (10).
- The Bulldogs entered the game 4-0 with a scoring margin of 37.5 points...Today's match up was the closest for Butler this season.
QUOTE FROM COACH
"I'm so proud of this team," Coach Kristen Gillespie said. "I just have to believe that this is going to pay off in the end."
UP NEXT
The Illinois State women's basketball team will return to Redbird Arena as they face the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Thursday, Nov. 29. Â
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