NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbirds close out 2018 as they flock south on Sunday, Dec. 30 to face UMKC in Kansas City, Missouri.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State Redbirds (6-4) vs. UMKC Kangaroos (6-6)
Tip-Off: 2 p.m. CT
THE SERIES
• The Redbirds own a 1-0 record over the Roos, after facing the team for the first time in program history last season. Illinois State hosted UMKC and captured a 64-53 win. Â
• Coach Kristen Gillespie and head coach Jacie Hoyt were both in their first-year at the helm of their respective programs last season.
REDBIRD BITS
• The Coach Gillespie era added a new milestone to the list on Thursday, earning the program's fifth- straight victory for the first time since the 2012-13 year, and ISU remains undefeated at home.  During Gillespie's first year at the helm, she guided the Redbirds to the winningest season in five years.
• Simone Goods has added a double-double in four of ISU's nine contests this season, tallying her eighth career double-double in win over Maryville. She is currently tied 15th all-time in the ISU record books for this feat. Goods is also the only Valley player to sit in the top three in the conference for both scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. In Thursday's win, Goods led all scorers as she added a new career high of 30 points.
• TeTe Maggett earned Newcomer of the Week honors for the second time this season after guiding ISU to a 72-67 win over Saint Louis on Thursday. Maggett proved her versatility adding 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. The junior guard also earned five seconds of fame, netting a half-court shot at the halftime buzzer that received ESPN Top 10 recognition.
• ISU leads the Valley for scoring defense (57.5) and field goal percentage defense (36.7).
 SCOUTING THE ROOS
• Junior guard Ericka Mattingly leads the team, averaging 19.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. Additionally, she leads the Western Athletic Conference in scoring and assists. Mattingly was recently named as the Roo Holiday Classic MVP after guiding UMKC to two-straight wins to earn the tournament title.
• The Roos are 1-0 this season against MVC opponents after earning an 88-74 win over Loyola Chicago on Sunday, Dec. 16. The team also enters the contest having won four-straight games.
• UMKC is second in the WAC in scoring offense (74.5) and third in field goal percentage (42.5). Â
• Leilah Vigil added her fourth double-double (10 points and 12 rebounds) of the year in the win against Loyola Chicago. The freshman forward also leads the conference in total field goal percentage (54.2).
NEXT UP
Illinois State will return to Redbird Arena on Friday, Jan. 4 to begin MVC play as they host the UNI Panthers.
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