NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team will close out the non-conference slate on Sunday, as the Redbirds take on the Governors of Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tennessee. Tip-off at the Winfield Dunn Center is set for 2 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State (8-2, 0-0 MVC) vs. Austin Peay (8-2, 0-0 OVC)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 29
Tip-Off: 2 p.m. CT
Location: Clarksville, Tenn.
Arena: Winfield Dunn Center
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: WJBC AM 1230
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
SCOUTING THE GOVERNORS
Trailing by 10 points with 7:22 remaining, Austin Peay pulled off a thrilling comeback victory, 58-56, over Florida International to win the FIU Holiday Hoops Showdown Championship on Dec. 20. Shay-Lee Kirby had a team-high 15 points in the win, while Nieja Crawford added 13 points and eight rebounds.
Head coach David Midlick is in his fifth season at the helm of the women's basketball program and holds a 63-67 career record at APSU.
SERIES HISTORY
The 'Birds are 2-0 all-time versus the Governors. Their last meeting in December 2018 resulted in a 61-49 ISU victory at Redbird Arena. Former Redbird Simone Goods had a double-double in the contest, recording 22 points and 14 rebounds. TeTe Maggett posted 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the winning effort.
MID-MAJOR TOP 25
Illinois State is receiving votes for the fifth consecutive week in the latest update of College Insider's Mid-Major Top 25. The poll, which is in its 10th year of existence, is made up of teams outside the Power Five conferences. Seven teams on ISU's 2019-20 schedule are either receiving votes or ranked.
HISTORIC START
After defeating Jackson State on Thursday, the Redbirds are off to an 8-2 start in the 2019-20 season. This is only the fourth time in school history that the 'Birds are 8-2 or better to begin the year and two of those three previous seasons saw ISU reach 20+ wins (1976-77, 2007-08).
GOOD FROM DEEP
The Redbirds drained 11 three-pointers in the 77-55 win over Jackson State. It was the most triples made by an Illinois State team in a single game since the 'Birds made 12 three-point field goals at Missouri State on Jan. 20, 2017. Mary Crompton had five triples in the victory with Megan Talbot going 3-of-3 from deep. McKenna Sims had two three-pointers and Lexi Wallen added one of her own to bring the total to 11.
PROTECT THE NEST
The Redbirds have finished the non-conference slate undefeated at home, going a perfect 6-0 at Redbird Arena. ISU was 11-3 at home last season and are 258-164 all-time when they have the home-court advantage.
LAST TIME OUT
Four Redbirds tallied double figures in Illinois State's 77-55 win over Jackson State at Redbird Arena on Dec. 19. Thursday's game, which drew 2,337 fans for Education Day, featured a 25-7 run by the 'Birds to close out the game and secure ISU's eighth non-conference victory.
Lexi Wallen led the 'Birds in both scoring and rebounds with 21 points and eight boards. Megan Talbot contributed 16 points, along with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Redshirt freshman Mary Crompton went 5-of-7 from behind the three-point line for the second game in a row, posting 15 points in the win. Freshman McKenna Sims, playing a career-high 27 minutes, also set a new best, going 5-of-8 from the field and finishing with 13 points.
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.
