NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team returns to Redbird Arena for a two-game Missouri Valley Conference homestand this weekend. The 'Birds will host Drake on Friday night at 7 p.m. for the inaugural Pride Night and UNI on Sunday with a 2 p.m. tip-off.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State (11-5, 3-2 MVC) vs. Drake (12-5, 4-1 MVC) / vs. UNI (11-5, 3-2 MVC)
When: Friday, Jan. 24 / Sunday, Jan. 26
Tip-Off: 7 p.m. / 2 p.m. CT
Location: Normal, Ill.
Arena: Redbird Arena
Watch: ESPN3 / ESPN+
Radio: WJBC AM 1230
Live Stats: Drake / UNI
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Drake (12-5, 4-1 MVC) picked up a pair of lopsided victories last weekend, with a 105-65 win over Indiana State on Friday and a Sunday afternoon win over Evansville, 108-44, at the Knapp Center.
The pair of redshirt senior Sara Rhine (17.9 ppg) and senior Becca Hittner (17.3 ppg) are the highest scoring duo in the MVC, ranked second and fourth in scoring on the season. Rhine also grabs a team-high 7.1 boards per game with senior Brenni Rose averaging 5.2 assists.
Head coach Jennie Baranczyk is in her eighth season at the helm of the Drake program, amassing a 164-81 record with three NCAA Tournament appearances in that span.
SERIES HISTORY - DRAKE
Drake has a 46-35 advantage in the all-time series with Illinois State, and has won 13-straight versus the Redbirds. The reigning MVC regular season champs swept the series with ISU during the 2018-19 season, also eliminating them from postseason in the MVC Tournament semifinals.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
The Panthers (11-5, 3-2 MVC) also collected two Valley victories at home last weekend against Evansville (76-60) and Indiana State (73-43).
Junior guard Karli Rucker averages team-highs with 13.3 points and 3.6 assist per game. Fellow junior Bre Gunnels leads the team with 5.6 rebounds per contest.
Head coach Tanya Warren is in her 12th season at the helm of the UNI program. She holds a career record of 236-171 with three NCAA Tournament appearances in that span.
SERIES HISTORY - UNI
Illinois State leads the all-time series with the Panthers, 42-36, and holds a 24-14 advantage when playing in Normal. The 'Birds swept the series with UNI last season, defeating them both at home and on the road.
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 12th-longest nationally.
LAST TIME OUT
Fifth year senior Lexi Wallen led all scorers with 23 points as ISU dropped a 69-64 decision to Loyola Chicago at Gentile Arena Sunday afternoon.
TeTe Maggett had 16 points and four rebounds in the loss, with Juliunn Redmond adding 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. Senior Megan Talbot owned the boards, corralling a game-high nine rebounds on the day.
PROMOTIONS
Illinois State Athletics will hold its first-ever Pride Night for Friday's game versus Drake. Pride Night will recognize LGBTQ+ efforts in the Bloomington-Normal community, shining a light on education, resources and events on ISU's campus, specifically through the Dean of Students Office and the LGBTQ+ Student Support Fund.
The Alamo II will be at the game with a variety of Illinois State Pride items available for purchase, and $2 from every on-site purchase will be donated to the LGBTQ+ Student Support Fund. 600 one-of-a-kind rainbow koozies will also be available for fans in attendance.
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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