CHICAGO – The Illinois State women's basketball team drained back-to-back threes with less than a minute left in regulation in hopes of a dramatic comeback. Time was not in favor for the 'Birds and ISU dropped a hard-fought fourth quarter battle to Loyola Chicago, 62-59.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Simone Goods was the driving force behind the Redbird offense in the first quarter, guiding Illinois State to an early 7-0 start. The senior forward sank her second career 3-pointer and added two buckets in the paint to put the 'Birds ahead. Illinois State finished the first quarter ahead 13-8 as Goods and Katrina Beck each added a layup to close out the first period.
The Ramblers made a comeback in the second quarter, outscoring ISU 13-6. TeTe Maggett drove to the rim with just seconds on the clock to finish the half strong for the 'Birds, but ISU would trail at the halftime buzzer, 21-19.
LUC went 3-for-3 from long range at the beginning of the third quarter to push its lead to nine points. Kayel Newland snapped their streak as she sank three for ISU, to trail 30-24. Newland was a key piece to the Redbird offense today as she set a new personal best, draining three triples. Illinois State could not overcome the Ramblers in the third and entered the final quarter behind 46-39.
The Redbirds trailed by 10 points with 53 seconds remaining in regulation. Maggett and Newland drained two 3-pointers within eight seconds of one another, to cut the deficit to four with under a minute to play. Maggett attempted a shot from beyond the arc and was fouled, but converted all three points at the charity stripe, to trail 61-59. Desperate to extend time, ISU fouled, sending Loyola to the line. The Ramblers added one point and the 'Birds hustled down with four seconds to play. Maggett attempted a long three, but it just bounced off the rim and the clock expired.
INSIDE THE BOX SCOREÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Maggett led the 'Birds adding her first career double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds. The junior guard shot 90 percent from the charity stripe, going 9-for-10.
- Newland added a personal best of 11 points, going 3-for-5 from long range. The freshman guard also grabbed four boards and dished out one assist.
- Goods put up 16 points, tallying another double digit game to her resume and grabbed eight rebounds.
- The Ramblers were led by the quartet of Ellie Rice (18), Abby O'Connor (14), Allison Day (13) Tiara Wallace (12).
QUOTE FROM COACH
"First half we couldn't score, and I thought we defended well."
"Its tough when their non-shooters make shots and we can't do the same. We're in some trying times right now and new got to get it figured out quickly."
UP NEXT
The Illinois State women's basketball team will close out the weekend on Sunday, Feb. 3 as the 'Birds take on Valparaiso with a tip-off time set for 1 p.m.
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