NORMAL, Ill. – After a three-game road swing, the Illinois State women's basketball team will return to Redbird Arena for the final two home games of the 2018-19 season.
GAME INFORMATION VS. LOYOLA CHICAGO
Illinois State Redbirds (15-10, 8-6) vs. Loyola Chicago (12-14, 6-9)
When: Thursday, Feb. 28
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: 1230 AM
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Per the new clear bag policy, each ticketed guest can carry one large clear bag- either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or the 12"x 6"x 12" clear bag plus a small clutch purse (4.5" x 6.5") into the venue. The small clutch must be carried into the venue outside the clear bag and is subject to search.
THE SERIES VS. LOYOLA CHICAGO
• The Redbirds are 10-6 overall when facing the Ramblers, owning a 6-1 record at home, 3-5 at Loyola Chicago and 1-0 at a neutral site.
• In the first game of the series this season, Illinois State drained back-to-back triples in hopes of a fourth-quarter comeback, but time was not in favor resulting in a 62-59 Loyola win.
REDBIRD BITS
• Illinois State enters the contest coming off of a tough loss to I-74 rival, Bradley.
• Freshmen Lexy Koudelka and Kayel Newland shined in the last outing, each surpassing their personal bests in points and rebounds. Koudelka notched her first career double-double, contributing 20 points and 10 boards. Newland followed with 12 points, eight boards and dished out four assists.
• Senior forward Simone Goods continues to prove to be an offensive powerhouse, ranking 35th nationally and second in the league, shooting 54.5 percent from the floor this season. Goods averages 17.5 points per game, which is third most in the league and 73rd nationally, and has added a career high this season of 30 points. The Omaha, Nebraska, native has secured double figures in all but two contests this season, and has tallied six double-doubles.
• ISU improved its win record last season to 14, which was the winningest since 2012-13. The Redbirds have tallied 15 this year in the win column, making the 2018-19 the most successful year the program has seen in five years. ISU captured a MVC road sweep, taking down Missouri State and Southern Illinois, which was the first time the team has done so since 2014. The Redbirds have posted a five-game win streak twice this season, for the first time since 2010-11, when ISU finished 24-11 and made the WNIT semifinals.
SCOUTING THE RAMBLERS
• Loyola enters the game after facing two losses against Missouri State and Southern Illinois.
• The Squad is led by the trio of Abby O'Connor, Janae Gonzales and Ellie Rice, who each average double figures this season.
• O'Connor averages a team-high 14.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The sophomore was selected to the MVC All-Freshman team last season and is one of three Ramblers to start in all 26 contests this season.
GAME INFORMATION VS. VALPARAISO
Illinois State Redbirds (15-10, 8-6) vs. Valparaiso Crusaders (6-21, 2-13)
When: Sunday, March 3
Tip-Off: 2 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: 1230 AM
THE SERIES VS. VALPARAISO
• The Redbirds have a 5-2 edge against the Crusaders with a 2-1 record at home, 1-1 at Valpo and 1-0 at a neutral site.
• Illinois State looks to sweep the series after securing a 70-67 win at Valparaiso earlier this season.
SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS
• Valparaiso dropped the previous weekend's matches to Southern Illinois and Missouri State.
• The squad is under the direction of first-year head coach Mary Evans. Evans came to Valpo after a five-year stint at Ohio University as an assistant coach.
• The Crusaders are led by the trio of Meredith Hamlet, Addison Stoller and Grace Hales who each average double figures this season.
WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN
The Illinois State women's basketball team will hold its final home match of the 2018-19 season on Sunday, March 3 as its hosts Valparaiso for a "Women Supporting Women" themed game day.
This game was designed to inspire and empower rising females to pursue their potential, celebrate women in our community and support female athletes to the magnitude they deserve.
SENIOR DAY
The Illinois State women's basketball team will be recognizing the four graduating seniors prior to tip-off on Sunday including, Katrina Beck, Simone Goods, Viria Livingston and Lexi Wallen.
NEXT UP
The Redbirds close out the regular season next week as they make stops at No. 24 Drake and UNI.
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