NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team will make the short trip to Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday to face off with in-state Big Ten opponent Illinois for the first time since 2012. Tip-off at State Farm Center is set for 2 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State Redbirds (1-1, 0-0 MVC) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 16
Tip-Off: 2 p.m.
Location: Champaign, Ill.
Arena: State Farm Center (15,544)
Watch: Big Ten Network Plus (BTN+)
Radio: WJBC 93.7 FM
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING ILLINI
Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská and freshman Jada Peebles led Illinois to a 76-62 win over Austin Peay on Wednesday. Holešínská posted 19 points to lead all scorers, while Peebles added 18 of her own on 70-percent shooting. Illinois took an early lead in the game and held off the Governors to secure their third victory of the season.
Head coach Nancy Fahey is entering her third season at the helm of the Illini women's basketball program, with a 22-42 record.
ILLINOIS STATE VS. ILLINOIS
The Illini have the edge in the all-time series with the Redbirds, 21-20*, but the 'Birds have won three of their last four meetings. Their most recent showdown on Dec. 21, 2012, saw ISU win in a thrilling 69-68 fashion on Illinois' home court. Candace Sykes netted 22 points, including six three-pointers, in the winning effort, with Jamie Russell and Chloe Nelson adding nine and eight points, respectively.
*The first five games of the series took place before Illinois was considered a varsity team.
LAST TIME OUT
Following a slow start with neither team scoring in the first two minutes of play, Illinois State could not find its offensive rhythm and fell, 41-58, to Marquette on Sunday afternoon, inside the Al McQuire Center. Senior guard TeTe Maggett led the Redbirds in scoring and rebounding with 16 points and six rebounds. Senior forward Lexi Wallen added 10 points on the day, making it the second consecutive double-digit scoring performance for both seniors.
For all latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
