MOLINE, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team rallied with nationally ranked Drake, holding the Bulldogs to their lowest field-goal percentage of the season (.360) in a narrow 65-54 loss.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
The Illinois State defense proved itself once again, holding the highest scoring team in the league to three-field goals in the first quarter. Drake added seven from the free-throw line, notching 15 points in the first. The Redbirds trailed by eight points with 2:40 on the clock, but responded with three triples to take the lead. Drake finished the quarter strong as Becca Hittner sank two at the line, to push ahead 15-14.
Illinois State led by as much six in the second and outscored the Bulldogs 12-11, resulting in a 26-26 halftime score. Drake added the last bucket, sinking a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the tie.
The Redbirds found themselves in foul trouble at the conclusion of the third, with three players owning four fouls. The two squads battled in back-and-forth fashion until the Bulldogs orchestrated a 10-0 run. Viria Livingston ended the scoring drought for ISU, draining a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining on the clock. Drake fired back with a layup to finish the third quarter ahead 47-40.
Illinois State brought the game within four as TeTe Maggett and Lexi Wallen put a scoring run together with 5:37 to play. Drake found their rhythm from long range and added three triples in a row, to force a 60-49 lead. The resilient Redbirds fought to the finish, but time was not in favor, resulting in a 65-54 loss.
INSIDE THE BOX SCOREÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Maggett led the 'Birds adding 21 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. The junior guard added five shots from long range today and tallied her ninth 20-point game.
- Wallen shot 71.4 percent from the floor, netting 5-of-7. The senior forward was the second leading scorer for ISU, tallying 13 points.
- Illinois State added 20 points from the bench with seven from Lexy Koudelka and 13 from Wallen.
- Hittner led all scorers, with 22 points, netting 11-of-12 from the charity stripe for the Bulldogs.
- Sara Rhine added a double-double for Drake with 15 points and 11 boards.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"I am incredibly proud of our team, I know people were surprised that we kept it close, but I think if you ask our players, they were not. We were coming to win."
"I wouldn't trade this team in for the world. I am the luckiest person to coach at Illinois State and to coach these 12 young ladies."
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