Illinois State Places Sixth at 2020 Mid-American Conference Match Play Challenge

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – A second consecutive split at the 2020 Mid-American Conference Match Play Challenge saw the Illinois State Redbirds place sixth overall after a 3-2 win over Eastern Michigan, before falling 3-2 to Purdue Fort Wayne.

Illinois State senior Becca Black went a perfect 4-0 on the weekend and upped her career match play record to 14-0-1.

Against the Eagles of Eastern Michigan, the Redbirds got wins from Emma Sutton, Black, and Morgan Savage. Starting on the 10^th hole on the day, Savage either led or was tied through the first 11 holes of the day before her opponent picked up back-to-back wins on the third and fourth holes to take a two-hole lead. Savage fought back with a win on the fifth hole, and proceeded to win the seventh, eighth, and ninth hole to win 2UP, outscoring her opponent by four strokes over the final five holes of the match.

Sutton dropped the opening hole of the first match of the day, and the margin stayed at one until the junior on the 15^th hole to even the score. Another win on the 18^th hole put her ahead by one; however, her Eagle opponent fought back and took a one-hole lead with two holes remaining. Sutton fought back and won the final two holes to take the match 1UP. Black never trailed in her match, winning the first hole, and expanding her lead to as many as five holes, cruising to the 3&2 win.

Paige Seiser and Emma Rouger each fell in the morning session, Seiser 6&5 and Rouger 1UP.

In the afternoon finale, the Redbirds fell to Purdue Fort Wayne of the Summit League by a 3-2 score, with the Redbird wins coming from Black and Rouger.

Black picked up a 4&2 win as she never trailed for a hole on the day, as she and her opponent tied the first three holes, before Black won on the 4^th, eighth, 10^th, 12^th, and 16^th holes to cruise to the 4&2 win. Savage (4&3), Sutton (2UP), and Seiser (5&4) each fell in the tournament finale.

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