SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Illinois State women's basketball team put a stop to Missouri State's 13-game win streak, downing the Bears 60-56 in a thrilling fourth quarter finish. Prior to tonight, MSU had the third longest active win streak in the nation behind Oregon's 16 and Baylor's 14.
HOW IT HAPPENED
ISU pulled an early 13-10 at the conclusion of the first quarter with TeTe Maggett leading the way with five points. The 'Birds closed out strong with a 4-0 run to end the quarter and finished 42.9 percent from the floor, netting 6-of-14 shots.
Five lead changes in the second period alone, but the Bears entered the locker room on top 25-22. MSU added back-to-back jumpers with less than five minutes left on the clock, to push 23-20. Maggett was fouled on a shot attempt and drained both shots, trailing by one with 2:19 to play in the half. Danielle Gitzen responded a minute later for the Bears to extend their lead to three. Neither team was able to get a make in the final minute, resulting in a 25-22 halftime score.
ISU played a tight third quarter, coming within one point three times, but fell behind late trailing 37-33 at the end of the period.
The relentless Redbirds battled back in the fourth quarter, continuing the back-and-forth affair until the final minute. Maggett added a bucket in the paint with 40 seconds on the clock to push a 52-50 lead. The Redbird defense held off the Bears, and Maggett added two more at the free-throw line. Missouri State called a timeout to draw up a play, and Danielle Gitzen put the Bears on the board with a jumper. With 21 seconds left, ISU led 54-52. ISU persevered in the upcoming free-throws and were rewarded with a 60-56 win.
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
- Simone Goods and Maggett added 23 and 22 points, respectively, which led all scorers in today's contest. Goods also grabbed seven boards and denied two shots, while Maggett set a career-high with three blocks.
- Viria Livingston led the 'Birds on the boards today, grabbing 10 and also notched four points.
- Missouri State went 0-for-14 from 3-point range and shot 37.5 percent from the floor.
- Prior to tonight the Bears had a perfect MVC record and were first in the standings after defeating Drake.
- The Redbirds got to the line 27 times compared to MSU's nine attempts.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"We won the foul line battle and that was us being ultra-aggressive."
"If we can have multiple efforts from everyone, we can't rely on Simone and TeTe, which they were outstanding."
"I'm so proud of this team. This team has great belief, we're playing pretty well and we talk about how we can't do anything about the past. We want to be playing our basketball in the turn of February." Â
ON VIRIA LIVINGSTON
"She does so much for this team, she makes us great and I wish she would get more credit. She is the best defender in the league and I think she gets overlooked."
UP NEXT
The Illinois State women's basketball team will close out the weekend with a matchup at Southern Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 17 with tip-off time set for 2 p.m.
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