TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Illinois State women's basketball team held Indiana State to 32 points, a program record for the fewest points allowed in a Missouri Valley Conference game, in a decisive 62-32 win at the Hulman Center on Friday night. The Redbirds improved to 5-2 (2-2 MVC) with the victory while the Sycamores dropped to 4-5 (1-3 MVC).
Redshirt sophomore Mary Crompton had a game-high 13 points, shooting 55.6% (5-of-9) from the floor and 60% (3-of-5) from long range. Senior Juliunn Redmond tallied 11 points on 44.4% (4-of-9) shooting, adding three rebounds and two assists.
Sophomore DeAnna Wilson led the team in rebounds, collecting a career-high eight boards on the night while scoring seven points.
Indiana State's Adrian Folks had a team-high 10 points while Hattie Westerfeld nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds got off to a slow start, shooting only 30.8% (4-of-13) and battling back and forth with the Sycamores to end the first quarter tied at 11-11. Crompton paced Illinois State early, draining two of her three triples on the night in the first 10 minutes.
It was all Illinois State from that moment on, as the 'Birds would hold the Trees to seven points in each of the next three quarters and 22.5% (9-of-40) shooting the rest of the way.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Indiana State's 32 points allowed were the fewest allowed in a MVC game in Illinois State program history. The previous low in points allowed was 36 points in Feb. 9, 2018's 39-36 win at Southern Illinois.
- Illinois State is one of seven NCAA DI programs to hold multiple opponents to under 40 points this season. The exclusive list also includes Arizona, Baylor, Campbell, Milwaukee, North Carolina and Rutgers.
- The Redbirds showed their depth with Paige Saylor, Terrion Moore and Wilson chiming in nine, eight, and seven points, respectively.
- Every available Redbird got into Friday's game.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KRISTEN GILLESPIE
On tight score early: "I thought we started out pretty well – I know it didn't look like it, but I liked the shots we got, they just didn't fall… I think if some of those open looks would've went in it would've felt a little bit differently, but I liked what we were doing defensively."
On the importance of depth: "Almost everyone played double figures [in minutes], which in back-to-back games, you're going to need your depth. We coach to the end – that last quarter, some of these players got really good minutes and that's great experience… so next weekend when we play Valpo… I think some of the players that got good minutes – it's going to serve them well."
UP NEXT
The Redbirds host Valparaiso at home on Thursday, Jan. 14 and Friday, Jan. 15 to kickoff a five-game homestand. The Crusaders had originally been scheduled to make the trip to Normal on Jan. 1-2, before COVID-19 protocol forced a postponement. Tip-off at Redbird Arena is set for 4 p.m. for both games, which will be streamed on ESPN3/+.
For all the 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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