CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team secured its fifth-straight victory, persevering in a last minute battle against Southern Illinois. The Redbirds improve to 15-9 overall, which is the winningest season the program has seen since the 2012-13 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds were perfect from the field through the first half of the quarter, not missing a shot until the 4:31 mark. The hot-shooting team rallied ahead of the Salukis 23-14 at the end of the first quarter, finishing 9-of-17 from the floor (.529).
The Salukis battled back in the second quarter and cut the deficit to three with 2:32 remaining in the half. Katrina Beck added two at the line to extend the lead back to five, but SIU quickly responded with a jump shot. Megan Talbot got on the board with 43 seconds left in the second quarter, making the last shot of the half, pushing the 'Birds ahead 34-29 at the buzzer.
Simone Goods checked back into the game at the start of third quarter and added eight points in three minutes to put ISU up 42-33. The Redbirds would only score six more points in the quarter adding 14. The Salukis drained a last second three to finish the third period with a 14-point output as well, trailing ISU 48-43.
Southern Illinois took its first lead of the game with 5:45 left in the fourth quarter, as Payton McCallister sank a triple. The Salukis were 5-of-6 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, forcing a tough last minute battle. The squads were tied up four times in the fourth quarter, all coming down to the very last seconds. Goods added a layup with 1:19 on the clock to push ahead 66-64, but SIU quickly answered with a bucket from Abby Brockmeyer. TeTe Maggett added the final two points for ISU as she drove to the rim, and the game came down to the infamous Redbird defense. SIU attempted a layup, but could not get a good enough look. Goods grabbed the defensive rebound and the clock expired, resulting in a thrilling 68-66 Redbird victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Goods led all scorers, contributing 24 points in 23 minutes of playing time. The senior forward was 11-for-14 from the floor and also grabbed two boards and one steal.
- Every Redbird that checked into the game today added points for ISU, second leading scorer today was junior point guard TeTe Maggett with 14.
- Newcomer Lexi Wallen tied a personal best with eight rebounds, while also dishing out two assists.
- Beck tied her career high, with six assists today and added nine points for ISU.
- This is the second-straight season, where ISU has swept the Salukis.
- SIU was led by the trio of Makenzie Silvey (14), Nicole Martin (13) and McCallister (13). Silvey also dished out a game-hihg of eight assists.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"I thought we came out on fire and really locked in."
"They shoot the ball really well and I thought we let their shooters get loose a little. The 3-point shot is something we don't do exceptionally well, that was the difference that got them back in."
ON TETE MAGGETT
"I didn't think we got the best TeTe the first half, but she responded and she showed why she's a premiere guard down the stretch. She has that demeanor when the game is on the line."
UP NEXT
The Illinois State women's basketball team will wrap up its three-game road swing as they travel down I-74 to face the Bradley Braves on Friday, Feb. 22.
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