NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team (1-5) returns home to host NAIA opponent Missouri Baptist in conjunction with Education Day on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at Redbird Arena. Tip-off with the Spartans is slated for 11 a.m. CT and the game will be streamed on ESPN3.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State vs. Missouri Baptist
When: Wednesday, Dec. 1
Tip-off: 11 a.m. CT
Location: Normal, Ill.
Facility: Redbird Arena
Watch: ESPN3
Listen: WJBC 1230 AM/102.1 FM
EDUCATION DAY
Wednesday's game versus Missouri Baptist will serve as ISU's Education Day. Many local elementary schools will be in attendance to support the 'Birds with over 1,400 students expected at the game.
Schools will be dropping off at the circle drive north of Redbird Arena before the game. Season ticket holders and the general public are encouraged to use the East Entrance to avoid high traffic as students come through the North Entrance.
Public seating will be available in sections 115/116.
LAST TIME OUT
The Redbirds fought back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the game twice in the final minute 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.
UCI THANKSGIVING INVITE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Junior DeAnna Wilson was named to the UCI Thanksgiving Invite All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds on the weekend. Wilson just missed a double-double in Friday's contest at UC Irvine, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds while shooting 6-of-9 (66.7%) from the floor. The junior then went off for a career-high 21 points in Saturday's game versus Sacramento State, scoring ISU's first 10 points while grabbing six boards and three steals on the day.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Senior guard Tionne Taylor is averaging a team-best 20.4 points per game through eight contests this season for Missouri Baptist. Graduate student Joelle Atkins leads the Spartans on the boards, grabbing 7.8 boards per game and graduate student Rose Wassef has dished out a team-high 36 assists (4.5 apg) on the year.
Samuel Pearson was named the Spartans' head women's basketball coach in March 2018 and is 40-48 overall in his fourth season with Missouri Baptist. Prior to taking over, Pearson served as an assistant coach in the program and played for the men's basketball program.
For all 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.
