NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team continues its three-game road trip this weekend, facing off with Valparaiso on Friday before taking on Loyola Chicago on Sunday. Friday's game tips off at 7 p.m. with Sunday's match-up slated for a 1 p.m. start.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State (10-4, 2-1 MVC) at Valparaiso (10-5, 2-2 MVC) / at Loyola Chicago (12-3, 3-1 MVC)
When: Friday, Jan. 17 / Sunday, Jan. 19
Tip-Off: 7 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. CT
Location: Valparaiso, Ind. / Chicago, Ill.
Arena: ARC / Gentile Arena
Watch: ESPN+ / ESPN+
Radio: WJBC AM 1230
Live Stats: Valpo / Loyola
SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS
Valpo earned its first two-game sweep since joining the conference last weekend, defeating Indiana State on Friday, 75-56, and Evansville on Sunday, 86-66. As a team, the Crusaders shot 57.7 percent (30-of-53) from the floor and matched a season-high 14 three-pointers in the win over the Aces, also registering a season-best 21 steals. Sophomore Carie Weinman was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week for her performances over the weekend, averaging 14 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game on 64.7 percent (11-of-17) shooting.
Senior Grace Hales leads the Crusaders in scoring on the season, averaging 12.5 points per contest. Redshirt junior Addison Stoller is averaging 11.3 points, while also collecting a team-high 5.4 boards per game.
Head coach Mary Evans is in her second year at the helm of the Valpo program.
SERIES HISTORY - VALPARAISO
Illinois State has a 6-2 edge in the all-time series with Valpo, along with a 2-1 advantage when playing on the road. In their last meeting during the 2018-19 season, the 'Birds shot over 50 percent from the floor, cruising to a 74-53 victory at Redbird Arena. ISU was led by the trio of TeTe Maggett (20 pts, 3 rebs, 3 asts) and former Redbirds Katrina Beck (14 pts, 5 rebs) and Simone Goods (14 pts).
SCOUTING THE RAMBLERS
The Ramblers also picked up a pair of victories last weekend, with a 71-61 win over Evansville on Friday, and a 58-51 win over Indiana State on Sunday. Abby O'Connor (21 pts, 12 rebs) and Allison Day (16 pts, 10 rebs) each posted double-doubles in the win over the Aces, with Janae Gonzales finishing with a team-high 12 points off of four triples against the Sycamores on Sunday. With the two road victories, Loyola became the first team in the nation to reach 8-0 on the road.
O'Connor leads Loyola in scoring on the season, averaging a team-best 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. Senior guard Tiara Wallace's average of 4.7 assists per game ranks second in the conference.
Head coach Kate Achter is in her fourth year at the helm of the Ramblers women's basketball program.
SERIES HISTORY – LOYOLA CHICAGO
The 'Birds lead the Ramblers in the all-time series, 11-6, with a 3-5 record playing in Chicago. Their last meeting on Feb. 28 at Redbird Arena resulted in a 65-52 victory for Illinois State, with Simone Goods and Katrina Beck each contributing 21 points in the win.
MID-MAJOR TOP-25 POLL
The Redbirds are receiving votes in the latest update of CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Top-25 Poll. This is the seventh week of the season that Illinois State is receiving votes, with six of ISU's 2019-20 opponents being ranked or receiving votes this week.
PROTECT THE NEST
Illinois State is a perfect 8-0 at home during the 2019-20 season. ISU was 11-3 at Redbird Arena last season and are 259-164 all-time when they have the home court advantage. The Redbirds' home win streak of 12-straight games (extending into last season) is tied for 13th-longest nationally.
LAST TIME OUT
Bradley outscored ISU, 19-5, in the fourth quarter to claim a 76-61 win over the Redbirds on Friday night at Renaissance Coliseum. Junior Juliunn Redmond finished with a team-best 20 points and added four rebounds, shooting 7-of-12 (.583) from the floor and 3-of-4 (.750) from behind the arc. Seniors Lexi Wallen (15 pts, 7 rebs) and TeTe Maggett (10 points, 8 rebs) joined Redmond in double figures. Maggett also dished out a team-high four assists.
For all latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
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