Redbirds Soar Past Hawks

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Women's Basketball opened the 2018-19 season with a 82-55 exhibition victory over the Quincy Hawks.

HOW IT HAPPENED                                                       

Quincy scored the first shot of the game from behind the arc, but the 'Birds quickly answered with a 3-point shot from Mary Crompton. The freshman guard debuted in a big way going 3-for-3 from the field in the first quarter. The Redbirds battled for a lead and finished ahead 20-15 to conclude the first. Illinois State outscored the Hawks 21-15 in the second to push an 11 point lead, entering the locker room at halftime ahead 41-30. Simone Goods led the team in the first half with 12 points and four rebounds.  

The Redbirds never dropped the lead in the second half and would finish strong, defeating the Hawks 82-55.

 INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Redbirds shot 50.9% from the field, last season the team averaged 36%.
• TeTe Maggett had a strong first showing, leading all scorers with 19 points, going 7-for-14 from the field.
• Goods followed with 18 points and Crompton finished with 17 points.
• Megan Talbot led the Redbirds in rebounding, grabbing eight, three of which were offensive.
• Katrina Beck dished out a team-high of six assists and scored 10 points.
• Taylor Hickey led the Hawks with 11 points and three assists.

QUOTE FROM COACH

"Every game is up for grabs, nothing is set in stone," Coach Gillespie said. "A great thing about this season is that there is so much competition with this team. Anyone can string a couple of good practices together and earn a starting spot."

WHAT'S NEXT
The Redbirds will open the regular season on the road, as they face the SIUE Cougars on Sunday, Nov. 4.  

GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.