NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team was led by the tandem of Simone Goods and Katrina Beck, who each had a 21-point output in tonight's 65-52 victory over Loyola Chicago.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds opened strong with a 7-0 run, forcing an early first quarter lead. Illinois State's offense has been consistent from the floor in the previous five matchups, averaging 49 percent from the field. Tonight was no different for ISU, as the team began the game making 7-of-14 from the floor in the first period. Loyola could not keep up with the hot-shooting 'Birds and ISU rallied ahead 22-9.
Illinois State took a quick 20-point lead, with five of the first seven points of the second quarter coming from Paige Saylor. Loyola fired back, finishing the half with a run, matching ISU's 14-point quarter output. The Redbirds entered halftime ahead, 36-23.
Neither team scored in the first three minutes of the fourth, but the Ramblers put the drought to an end as they cut their deficit to seven. Abby O'Connor was responsible for the attempted comeback, adding a quick five points, netting a jumper followed with a triple. The sophomore forward shot 50 percent from 3-point range, netting 3-for-6. Loyola kept up with ISU's pace in the second half as each team added 29 points. The Ramblers could not overcome the early jump created in the first quarter by the Redbirds, resulting in a 65-52 Redbird victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Goods and Beck led all scorers notching 21 points each. Beck surpassed her career best with the high-scoring game and added four rebounds and two assists.
- Goods secured her 11th career double-double and surpassed her personal best with 15 rebounds. The senior forward also denied three shots in tonight's contest. She improves to 14th all-time in ISU history, recording 11 double-doubles.
- Illinois State scored 30 points in the paint, compared to LUC's eight.
- TeTe Maggett shot 75 percent from long-range, knocking down 3-of-4.
- The Ramblers were led by the duo of Abby O'Connor and Ellie Rice. O'Connor tallied 15 points, two assists, three blocks and four rebounds. Rice added 10 points while dishing out two assists.
- Illinois State improves to 16-10, 9-6 MVC and remains tied with the Bradley Braves for the No. 4 MVC spot.
UP NEXT
The Illinois State women's basketball team will close out the weekend on Sunday, March 3 as the 'Birds take on Valparaiso with a tip-off time set for 2 p.m.
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