NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team fought to the end but ultimately fell in overtime to Drake, 69-67, at Redbird Arena on Friday evening. The Bulldogs snapped ISU's home winning streak, improving to 13-5 (5-1 MVC) on the year. The Redbirds drop to 11-6 (3-3 MVC) with the loss.
Senior TeTe Maggett led all scorers, posting 19 points while also collecting six rebounds and three assists. Juliunn Redmond had 14 points, also grabbing six rebounds.
Redshirt freshman Mary Crompton finished with 12 points, draining two key three-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep the 'Birds in the game. Sophomore Lexy Koudelka grabbed a team-high nine boards in the contest, also contributing seven points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams recording field goal percentages below 30 percent. The 'Birds entered the locker room at halftime with a 24-22 lead, holding Drake to the fewest amount of points in a half all season. Maggett and Koudelka paced ISU in the first half, each adding five points while also collecting five and four rebounds, respectively.
Drake's Becca Hittner exploded for 12 points in the third quarter to give the Bulldogs a boost, as Drake widened their lead to nine points before a triple by Maggett just before the end of the period narrowed the gap to just six.
A 7-0 run including back-to-back jumpers by Maggett and a three-pointer from Crompton made it a one-point game, as the Bulldogs narrowly led 53-52 with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. A pair of made free throws by Redmond with 6:38 remaining gave the 'Birds their first lead since mid-way through the third quarter.
The Bulldogs regained the lead once again before Koudelka knotted the score up at 61 with a layup with a little over a minute remaining in the game. Both teams had opportunities, but were unable to break the tie in the final seconds.
Redmond had all six of Illinois State's points in the overtime period.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Maggett led the 'Birds in scoring for the sixth time this year, while also posting double-digit scoring in 13 of 15 games played.
- Drake outscored Illinois State 13-0 in fast break points, also finishing with a 34-28 advantage in points in the paint.
- Senior Lexi Wallen fouled out with 9:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was the first time a Redbird used all five of their fouls in a game this season.
- The Bulldogs' 14-0 win streak (extending back to 2014) against the 'Birds remains the second-longest winning streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KRISTEN GILLESPIE
On the loss: "We've got to give credit to Drake – there's a reason they are so good. We keep getting closer and closer to that win, but it's still not good enough for us. They did enough down the stretch to win."
On the team's mindset: "I loved our approach this week in practice and in shootaround. We were down nine points at one point in the second half and never once did I see defeat in anyone's eyes. The season is so fleeting and it's hard to see these opportunities slip through your fingers. But all we can do is live in the moment and move on."
UP NEXT
The Redbirds host UNI (11-6, 3-3 MVC) at Redbird Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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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