NORMAL, Ill. – Senior Juliunn Redmond scored with 4.4 seconds left to put Illinois State up by one point over No. 23/25 Missouri State, but the Redbirds were ultimately edged, 73-72, after the Lady Bears responded with a lay-up with only 1.4 seconds remaining in Saturday's game.
The 'Birds had led by as many as 16 in the second quarter before MSU retook the lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Junior Terrion Moore led Illinois State (10-6 overall, 7-6 Missouri Valley Conference) with a career-high 22 points. Redmond scored 19 points (8-of-12 FG, 66.7%) and grabbed nine rebounds.
Brice Calip scored the game-winning basket for Missouri State (13-2, 8-0), finishing with 11 points. The Bears were led by Jasmine Franklin's 15 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State used a 13-0 run in the first quarter to go up 15-4 prior to leading 23-17 after 10 minutes of action.
The 'Birds scored the first eight points of the second quarter to take its largest lead of the contest, 33-17, with 6:21 to go in the second quarter. ISU led 40-29 at the half.
ISU's lead was cut to 46-43 halfway through the third period, but the 'Birds expanded the margin to 54-47 at the end of the third quarter.
Missouri State took its first lead since the opening minutes of the contest at 61-59 with 5:54 to go in the game.
Redshirt sophomore Mary Crompton tied the game at 64-64 before a three-pointer by Moore put the 'Birds up 69-66. Moore added a free throw with 30 seconds left, putting ISU up 70-66.
MSU responded, hitting a three-pointer and taking advantage of a Redbird turnover to regain the lead at 71-70 with 19 seconds to play.
Redmond made a driving lay-up with 4.4 seconds to go, but an MSU basket with 1.4 seconds left clinched the contest for the Lady Bears.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Illinois State was 29-of-54 (53.7%) from the floor, its second-best percentage of the season.
- The Redbirds led for 33:39 and the game featured six lead changes, five of which occurred in the fourth quarter.
- Sophomore DeAnna Wilson drew seven fouls, en route to a eight-point, eight-rebound performance. She posted a game-best +12 plus/minus.
- Moore's 22-point performance was her second 20+ point game of the season and third of her career.
- The 'Birds outscored the Lady Bears, 42-36, in the paint.
QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH KRISTEN GILLESPIE
On the opponent: "Once again, they [Missouri State] proved why they are a top-25 team and at the top in our league. Calip hit a tough shot at the end, and that's why she's one of the best guards in the conference."
On her team's performance: "This is a tough one because as a coach, my heart breaks for those 13 kids in our locker room. I couldn't be more proud of our players, this was a heck of a game."
UP NEXT
The 'Birds are scheduled to face off with Drake on Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m inside Redbird Arena.
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.
