NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team will make its first road trip of the season, as the Redbirds head to Macomb, Ill. on Sunday to battle Western Illinois. Tip-off at Western Hall is set for 2 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State (1-0) at Western Illinois (0-5)
When: Sunday, Dec. 13
Tip-Off: 2 p.m. CT
Location: Macomb, Ill.
Facility: Western Hall
Watch: Leatherneck All-Access ($)
Radio: WJBC AM 1230
Live Stats: GoLeathernecks.com
THE 'BIRDS ARE BACK
Illinois State made their season debut last Sunday, Dec. 6, defeating NAIA opponent Saint Xavier, 98-53, at Redbird Arena. Every Redbird who got into the game on Sunday scored, with seven Redbirds recording at least eight points and four finishing in double figures.
Redshirt sophomore Mary Crompton led the scoring effort, recording a career-high 20 points while shooting 6-of-7 (85.7%) from behind the arc. Her six treys tie her career-best for three-pointers made in a game, matching her performances at Missouri State (2/2) and at Drake (2/22) from last season.
Senior Paige Saylor posted Illinois State's first points/assists double-double in almost 10 years, finishing the day with 11 points and 10 assists. The last 'Bird to accomplish this feat was Amanda Clifton in February 2011.
Senior Juliunn Redmond and junior Terrion Moore round out the list of double-digit scorers, each finishing with 16 points. Redmond also added six assists and four rebounds with Moore tallying 14 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, going 5-for-5 in the period.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State owns a 41-4 all-time record versus Western Illinois, including a 15-2 advantage when playing in Macomb. ISU has won three of the past five meetings with the Leathernecks, including last year's 78-65 victory at Redbird Arena.
SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS
Western Illinois (0-5) has yet to win a game this season, most recently falling at SEMO, 67-57, on Friday night.
The Leathernecks were picked third in The Summit Preseason Poll, returning four starters from the 2019-20 campaign in Carla Flores, Grace Gilmore, Danni Nichols and Evan Zars. Zars, the reigning Summit League Newcomer of the Year, is averaging a double-double through five games this year, with 10.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Nichols leads WIU in scoring, averaging 11.5 points per contest.
Head coach J.D. Gravina enters his 10th season with the Leatherneck program, owning a 148-135 record in that span. He is two wins away from becoming the second-ever head coach in program history to win 150 games.
THAT WAS FAST!
Sunday's game had 83 possessions, which makes it the second-fastest paced game in the last five seasons for the Redbirds (last year's win vs. Northern Illinois had 84 possessions). ISU averaged 70 possessions per game during the 2019-20 campaign.
BELIEVE IN BULLMAN
Freshman Kate Bullman made an immediate impact in her debut as a Redbird on Sunday, recording eight points and team highs with nine rebounds and three blocks.
PLETHORA OF POINTS
The 98-53 win over Saint Xavier marked the first time the 'Birds have scored 90+ points since a 92-52 win over UMSL back in November 2011. It was also the first time since Nov. 2012 that ISU has put up 50+ points in a half, combining for 58 points in the second half.
ISU's 36 points in the fourth quarter was a school record for points in a quarter.
For all the latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
