IRVINE, Calif. – The Redbirds (1-5) fought back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the game twice in the final minutes of Saturday's contest, but ultimately fell to Sacramento State (3-3), 65-63, at the Bren Events Center to close out the UCI Thanksgiving Invite.
Fifth year Juliunn Redmond led all scorers with a career-high 28 points, adding six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Junior DeAnna Wilson also set a new career best, putting up 21 points while grabbing six boards and three steals.
The Hornets shot a blazing 50% from behind the arc, going 12-of-24 from distance. Summer Menke led Sac State with 20 points in the victory.
TURNING POINT
Illinois State dug itself a hole early, only converting a pair of field goals and two free throws in the first quarter to go down, 13-6. Wilson and Redmond were ISU's entire offense in the first half, with Wilson scoring the Redbirds' first 10 points before Redmond rattled off the next 12 to finish the half trailing by eight, 30-22.
ISU clawed back into game, outscoring the Hornets 41-35 in the final two periods. Redmond took control in the fourth quarter, going on an 8-0 run midway through that tied the contest at 59-all. 10 of the fifth year's 28 points came in the final period.
The Redbirds would tie the game twice more in the final minute, but the Hornets answered each time and ISU could never take the lead. Sacramento State's graduate student Lianna Tillman dealt the final blow to Illinois State with three seconds remaining, pulling up to make a jump shot in the paint and go up by two for the final score, 65-63. ISU took a timeout and advanced the ball but was unable to convert on its final possession.
IN THE BOX SCORE
- Redmond's 28 points were the most by an Illinois State player since Lexi Wallen had 35 in Feb. 14, 2020's double overtime win over Loyola Chicago, 86-85.
- Sacramento State's 12 three-pointers were the most by an ISU opponent since Valparaiso had 13 on Feb. 3, 2019.
- Graduate student Jada Stinson had six assists in her second start of the season, tied for the most by a Redbird this season.
- Freshman Chloe Van Zeeland scored her first points in a Redbird uniform, opening the fourth quarter with six-straight points for ISU. She finished 3-for-5 with a rebound on the day.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KRISTEN GILLESPIE:
On the opponent: "Sac State shot 50 percent from the three. All credit to them, they played really well. It's just tough because we had more offensive boards, we got to the line more and we had fewer turnovers – those are the standards we had set going into this game. But when a team shoots like that from the three, it's always going to be a challenge to win."
On Redmond and Wilson's performances: "DeAnna was outstanding in the first half – she was our only offense early. She plays so hard and I'm proud of her growth. I thought JuJu was phenomenal. We've really been challenging her a lot with her leadership and her consistency and she really took charge today."
UP NEXT
The Redbirds host Missouri Baptist for Education Day on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Tip-off is slated for 11 a.m. CT.
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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