NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team had five players score 11+ points en route to completing the I-74 rivalry sweep with a 79-59 win over Bradley on Thursday inside the Renaissance Coliseum.
Seniors Juliunn Redmond (13), Paige Saylor (13), redshirt sophomore Mary Crompton (14), sophomore DeAnna Wilson (12), and redshirt freshman Maya Wong (11) were the double digit scorers, all converting at least four field goals for Illinois State (13-6 overall, 10-6 MVC).
Junior Terrion Moore was the primary defender on Lasha Petree, the MVC's leading scorer, limiting her to just nine fourth-quarter points on 4-of-13 (30.8%) shooting for the contest. Moore added eight points, eight rebounds, a steal, and a block.
Bradley (12-11 overall, 8-8 MVC) was held to 19-of-56 (33.9%) shooting, but got 23 points from Gabi Haack.
Illinois State controlled the game throughout, trailing for just 25 seconds and shooting 30-of-56 (53.6%) from the floor and 10-of-24 (41.7%) from three-point range.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After ISU led 16-10 through the first quarter, Wong erupted for nine points in a 1:41 span to push the ISU advantage to 35-22 with two minutes to go in the first half. A Redmond bucket before the end of the half put the Redbirds up 37-24 at the intermission.
Illinois State continued its strong play in the second half, outscoring Bradley 22-17 in the third quarter to put the score at 59-41 after 30 minutes.
The 'Birds built its largest lead of the contest at 67-43 a minute and a half into the fourth quarter.
The Braves came to within 17 at the 2:24 mark before final buzzer sounded with the score at 79-59.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Illinois State swept Bradley for the first time since the 2011-2012 season, which was also the last year both the men's and women's basketball teams swept the Braves in the same season.
- Both of ISU's wins in the I-74 rivalry came by double digits, marking the first time the 'Birds swept Bradley with a pair of double figure wins since the 2008-2009 season.
- The 20-point margin was ISU's largest over Bradley since Feb. 26, 2009 (W, 82-61) and largest in Peoria since Jan. 13, 2008 (W, 94-61).
- Illinois State had five players with four or more made field goals and 11 or more points. It marks the first time this season that the 'Birds had five players in double figures.
- Crompton surpassed the 500-point mark, now with 513 career points. She was 4-of-6 (66.7%) from behind the arc for her sixth game with 4+ made three-pointers in a game and 11th time in her career.
- Redmond added six assists and six rebounds to her 13 points.
- Wilson (6-7 FG, 85.7%) and Wong (5-6, 83.3%) combined for 23 points in 39 minutes of action.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KRISTEN GILLESPIE
On balanced attack: "We had five in double figures, another with eight. This is how we become a great team--when we have multiple weapons, when we're sharing the ball. I thought for the most part we took great shots. I thought it was a really healthy balance of getting out and running and then slowing it down and making them work."
On team's effort: "I'm so proud--these kids just continue to buy in and do what's being asked and positive things happen."
UP NEXT
The 'Birds are scheduled to take on Loyola-Chicago on March 5 and 6 prior to the MVC Tournament, which runs from March 11-14 in Moline, Ill.
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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